Fs Values Research Articles

Integrated Characterization and Analysis of a Slow-Moving Landslide Using Geotechnical and Geophysical Methods

Slope failures in roadway embankments are common occurrences and can lead to traffic disruptions and large costs to repair damage. In areas with high-plasticity clays, special attention must be paid to characterizing both the stratigraphy and the potential for strength loss. This study demonstrates the use of an integrated site characterization approach, which seeks to utilize results from geotechnical and geophysical tests to understand the behavior of a landslide in west Alabama. The timing and mechanism of the initial failure causing the preexisting shear plane at this site are not known. Results from electrical resistivity and seismic geophysical tests are integrated with information from borings and index tests to develop a representative cross-section for the landslide, and torsional ring shear results are used to measure the drained fully softened and residual strengths. Both the limit equilibrium (LEM) and strength reduction method (SRM) analyses are used to examine possible failure mechanisms. The results show good agreement between noncircular LEM and SRM analyses and indicate that the initial failure was likely due to undrained loading of the clay. Analyses utilizing the residual drained strength envelopes produce FS values significantly lower than 1 indicating the slope to be unstable when soil on the failure plane exists at the residual state. Sensitivity analyses suggest that the combined effect of lowering the water table and strength recovery may explain the intermittent nature of movements.

Pengaruh Sustainability Report Disclosure terhadap Keinformatifan Laba Akuntansi dengan Kepemilikan Asing sebagai Variabel Moderating

This study aims to analyze the effect of sustainability report disclosure on the informativeness of accounting earnings with foreign ownership as a moderating variable. The informativeness of accounting earnings which is the dependent variable in this research is measured by the Earning Response Coefficient (ERC) value. Sustainability report disclosure which is the independent variable in this study is measured by the SRDI value, namely the disclosure index based on GRI G4 for the sample companies in the 2016 observation year and the 2017-2019 observation year using the GRI Standard index. Foreign ownership which acts as a moderating variable in this study is measured by the FS value, which is the result of the number of shares owned by foreign parties divided by the total outstanding shares. This study uses control variables, namely market to book ratio, leverage, and firm size. The population of this study were companies listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange in 2016-2019 using a sampling method, namely the purposive sampling technique so that the final sample of this study was 60 companies. The analysis technique used is the technique of moderated regression analysis (MRA). Overall, the results of this study indicate that the sustainability report disclosure does not significant positive effect on the informativeness of accounting earnings. Foreign ownership has a significant positive effect in moderating the relationship between sustainability report disclosure and the informativeness of accounting earnings.

Thermodynamic calculations and validation of the competing precipitation behavior of BN and Nb(C,N) in 9CrMoCo heat-resistant steel

In this study, the thermodynamic conditions were calculated for the formation of nitrides in the liquid phase and precipitation in the solid phase of the 9CrMoCo steel matrix. The mutual dependency of BN and Nb(C,N) was demonstrated through thermodynamic calculations and validated experimentally. The equilibrium distribution coefficients for Nb, N, and B at the solid–liquid interface were considered, and the solidification rate (fs) was introduced into the thermodynamic calculation. BN and NbN met the formation conditions when the fs values were 97.96% and 99.04%, respectively. The formation of Nb-containing nitrides was restrained by the formation of BN inclusions in the molten steel, which was confirmed by observing the elemental constituents of the Nb-rich precipitates. N (0.019%) in the solid solution was separated from the BN inclusions at 1523 K and it participated in the precipitation of Nb(C,N) during the subsequent cooling process. Needle-like Nb(C,N) precipitates and particles of Nb(C0.15N0.85) were formed under slow furnace cooling and austempering at 1223 K, respectively. In addition, the secondary precipitation of BN in austenite was restricted by the formation of the Nb(C,N) precipitate during the cooling process after the dissolution of BN inclusions.

Pemasaran Produk Ayam Pedaging di Kota Kendari Pada Masa Isu Pandemi Covid-19

The Covid-19 pandemic in Indonesia is gradually becoming normal, evidenced by the government's loosening policy to carry out offline activities. Educational, social, and economic activities have been going well. This study aims to determine the efficiency of broiler marketing in Kendari City. The approach used in this research is quantitative. The research was carried out in June 2022 in five Kendari City consumer centers (markets: Baruga, Anduonohu, Mandonga Central, Kendari Lama City Central, and Lawata). The data used are primary data from interviews with respondents and statistical data obtained from the Central Statistics Agency in secondary data and supported by literature studies. The data analysis technique used descriptive analysis. The results showed that the business scale of broiler breeders in Kendari City started from 3,000 - 10,500 heads in one livestock period. Marketing of broilers in Kendari City is through two marketing channels, marketing channel I from small traders in the market to final consumers and marketing channel II from producers to wholesalers in the market to final consumers. The analysis results show that the marketing of broiler products in Kendari City is running efficiently, each of which is indicated by the value of FS = 91% in marketing channel I and FS value = 74% in marketing channel II. The total profit earned by traders in the marketing channel I am Rp. 1,800,870.83/month, which is smaller than the profit earned by traders in marketing channel II, which is Rp. 37,422,631,80/month. Consumer responses to the price level (Rp24,666.30/kg – Rp32,188.00/kg) broilers in the Kendari City market are cheap and satisfied with the frequency of consumer shopping once and every day for the last month.

Down-regulation of SIK2 expression alleviates myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury in rats by inhibiting autophagy through the mTOR-ULK1 signaling pathway

To explore the role of salt-inducible kinase 2 (SIK2) in myocardial ischemia-reperfusion (IR) injury in rats. Fifteen male SD rats were randomized equally into sham operation group, myocardial IR model group, and SIK2 inhibitor group (in which the rats were treated with intravenous injection of 10 mg/kg bosutinib via the left femoral vein 24 h before modeling). Ultrasound was used to detect the cardiac function of the rats, and myocardial pathologies were observed with HE staining. Transmission electron microscopy was used to observe autophagy of myocardial cells, and Western blotting was performed to detect the contents of the autophagy-related proteins SIK2, LC3B, Beclin-1, p62 and the expressions of p-mTOR, mTOR, p-ULK1, and ULK1 in myocardial tissue. Myocardial IR injury significantly increased the number of autophagosomes (P < 0.05) and the expression of SIK2 protein (P < 0.01) in the myocardial tissues. Treatment with bosutinib before modeling obviously lowered the expression of SIK2 protein (P < 0.01), alleviated myocardial pathologies, and reduced the number of autophagosomes (P < 0.05) in the myocardial tissue. The rats with myocardial IR injury showed obviously lowered LVEF and FS values (P < 0.001), which were significantly improved by bosutinib treatment (P < 0.05); no significant difference was detected in IVSDd or LVPWDd among the 3 groups (P > 0.05). Myocardial IR injury obviously increased the expressions of LC3-II/LC3-I and Beclin-1 proteins and lowered the expression of p62 protein (P < 0.01), and these changes were significantly rescued by bosutinib treatment (P < 0.05). The rat models of myocardial IR injury showed significantly increased expression of p-ULK1 (Ser757) (P < 0.01) and lowered expression of p-mTOR protein (P < 0.0001) in the myocardium, and these changes were obviously reversed by bosutinib (P < 0.01 or 0.05); there was no significant difference in mTOR and ULK1 expressions among the 3 groups (P > 0.05). SIK2 may promote autophagy through the mTOR/ULK1 signaling pathway, and inhibiting SIK2 can reduce abnormal autophagy and alleviate myocardial IR injury in rats.

Stability Evaluation of Diversion Tunnel Portal Slopes at Lau Simeme Dam Site, Indonesia, using Limit Equilibrium Method

Construction of the Lau Simeme Dam used a tunnel as a diversion channel. Slopes at the diversion tunnel portals were prone to failure due to the tunnel excavation and earthquake. Earthquake load was not considered in the designs of the inlet and outlet portal slopes. This research evaluated stability of the tunnel portal slopes under static and earthquake loads using limit equilibrium methods of the Bishop Simplified and Morgenstern-Price. Input material properties for the slope stability analyses were obtained from evaluations of soil and rock cores, including determination of lithology type and rock mass quality based on Geology Strength Index (GSI), and laboratory testing. Evaluations of soil and rock cores indicated that the inlet portal slope consisted of residual soil, good quality tuff breccia, and good quality sandstone. The outlet portal slope consisted of residual soil, poor quality sandstone, poor quality tuff breccia, fair quality sandstone, fair quality tuff breccia, and good quality tuff breccia. The earthquake load coefficient determined by the seismic analyses based on the peak ground acceleration map for 10% probability exceedance in 50 year was 0.125 g. The slope stability analyses showed that the designed inlet and outlet portal slopes were stable under static and earthquake loads. The Bishop Simplified and Morgenstern-Price resulted in relatively similar Fs values. The Fs values of the inlet and outlet portal slopes decreased with the earthquake load application. Although Fs values of the outlet slope under static and earthquake loads met the requirements specified by SNI 8460:2017, the rock mass conditions, particularly the poor rock masses of layers 2 and 3, required special attention. Application of slope reinforcement methods, such as shotcrete, is suggested to further increase the slope stability.

Numerical Analyses of Tunnel Outlet Slope at Leuwikeris Dam, West Java, Indonesia

The excavated slope of the diversion tunnel outlet at the Leuwikeris Dam was designed based on core test data and the Circular Failure Chart (CFC) method. Stability of the excavated slope under static and seismic loads has not been verified using a different method. The objective of this research was to evaluate performance of the excavated slope under static and seismic loads using the finite element method (FEM). Stability analyses of the natural slope were also carried out to assess the improved stability of the slope after excavation. Geological mapping, examinations of drill cores and borehole logs, and laboratory tests were conducted to characterise the soils and rocks comprising the tunnel outlet slope. The rock masses were characterised using the Geological Strength Index (GSI) for the input parameters of the Generalised Hoek-Brown criterion. The slope stability analyses under static and seismic loads were performed using the finite element-based computer package RS2. The results show that the diversion tunnel construction site consists of residual soil and very poor to fair quality andesite breccia rock and tuff breccia with thin claystone intercalation. The groundwater table was located approximately 40 m below the ground surface. In general, the seismic load reduced stability of the slopes. The critical strength reduction factor (SRF) values of the natural portal slope, which had 40º inclination, were 3.6 and 1.45 under static and seimic loads, respectively. Meanwhile, the SRF values of the excavated slope, which had seven benches and 55 to 74º inclinations, were 3.83 and 1.78 under static and seismic loads, respectively. The natural and excavated slopes were considered stable under static and seismic loads and met the stability criteria specified by the National Standardization Agency (2017). The slope design increased the slope FS values by 6% and 20% under static and seismic loads, respectively.

Landslides Mechanism Analysis at Km 258 Ponorogo – Pacitan Road

One of the locations where landslides occurred on the Pacitan - Ponorogo route was at KM 258 in December 2017. At that location there are 3 adjacent slope segments, the first segment and the second segment had landslides, to prevent landslide at the third segment investigation was carried out on  the slope. Kinematics analysis method was used using the DIPS program to determine the slope failure type and to obtain the circular failure type. The weighting of RMR rock mass on the slopes studied obtained value of 52 (class III) where the rock type is moderate, and the correlation with the SMR on class III RMR rocks is the recommended slope angle of 55°. After slope stability simulation at angles of 80°, 75°, 70°, 65°, 60° to 55°, the effective angle is 70° with an FS value of 1.6.

Prevalence and genetic variance of Taenia hydatigena in goats and sheep from northern Ghana: Preliminary data on a globally neglected livestock parasite.

Cysticercosis caused by the larval stages of Taenia hydatigena has a significant global impact on livestock production, particularly of goats and sheep. Despite this, global data on prevalence and genetic variance of this parasite are still scarce. In Ghana, as in most African countries, numerous anecdotal observations agree that it is widespread and frequent. To obtain baseline data, we screened 251 goats and 248 sheep in northern Ghana (Upper East Region) for T. hydatigena metacestode and molecularly characterized the isolates using the mtDNA cox1 gene sequence. Prevalence was 58.57% in goats and 60.48% in sheep, confirming the abundance of this parasite in the region. Gene sequences revealed high diversity (π 0.00346, hd 0.809) and significant negative Tajima D and Fu's Fs values, a characteristic of a population experiencing an expansion after a recent bottleneck. This is the first account of the genetic structure of T. hydatigena in Ghana, intended as a basis for subsequent studies in the region.

Mitochondrial DNA diversity divulges high levels of haplotype diversity and lack of genetic structure in the Indian camels.

Camels represent an important genetic resource of the desert ecosystems of India, with the dromedary and Bactrian camels inhabiting the hot and cold deserts, respectively. This study is the first attempt to investigate mitochondrial DNA based genetic diversity in the Indian camel populations and explores their relationship in the context of global genetic diversity of all the three large camel species (Camelus ferus, Camelus bactrianus and Camelus dromedaries). A mitochondrial DNA fragment encompassing part of cytochrome b gene, tRNAThr, tRNAPro and the beginning of the control region was amplified and analyzed in 72 dromedary and 8 Bactrian camels of India. Sequence analysis revealed that the haplotype and nucleotide diversity (Hd: 0.937 and π: 0.00431) in the Indian dromedaries was higher than the indices reported so far for the dromedary or Bactrian camels across the globe. The corresponding values in the Indian Bactrian camels were 1.000 and 0.00393, respectively. Signals of population expansion were evident in the dromedaries of India on the basis of mismatch analysis and Fu's Fs values. The analysis of molecular variance attributed most of the genetic variance (92.15%) between the dromedary, wild Bactrian and domestic Bactrian camels indicating separate maternal origins. The existence of three mitochondrial lineages in the old world camels (C. bactrianus: Lineage A; C. ferus: Lineage B and C. dromedarius: Lineage C) was also substantiated by the topology of the Median-Joining network.

Foaming and air-water interfacial properties of camel milk proteins compared to bovine milk proteins

The objective of this research was to explore the foaming properties of camel and bovine milk and their derived proteins fractions including sodium caseinates, sweet whey, β-casein, α-lactalbumin and β-lactoglobulin. First, camel and bovine milk proteins were identified by the reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) and foaming properties (Foam capacity (FC) and stability (FS)) were analyzed. Afterwards, competitive adsorption of proteins to the air-water interface for both milk protein fractions was characterized using pendant-drop tensiometry parameters and was compared to intrinsic fluorescence results of pure proteins. Experimental results indicated that the maximum FC values were found for camel skim milk, sodium caseinates and β-casein with higher FS values for bovine β-casein. Differences in the stability and the highest tensioactive properties of camel β-casein were explained with the different molecular structure and its higher hydrophobicity when compared to its bovine counterpart. Thus, milk proteins adsorbed layers are mainly affected by the presence of β-casein which is the first adsorbed and the most abundant protein at the air-water contrary to whey proteins (α-lactalbumin and β-lactoglobulin). These globular proteins are involved in the composition of protein layers at air-water interface, giving higher viscoelastic modulus values, but could not compact well at the interface because of their rigid molecular structure. For camel milk, foaming properties and interfacial behavior are mainly maintained by camel β-casein due to its higher hydrophobicity compared to bovine β-casein and the greater exposure of tyrosine residues despite the absence of tryptophan in consistence with the intrinsic fluorescence results. Furthermore, the absence of the β-lactoglobulin leads to the dominance of the α-lactalbumin at the air-water interface which is characterized by lower hydrophobicity than its bovine counterpart leading to lower viscoelastic modulus values than those of bovine whey, and hence to weaker rheological properties of camel milk protein layer at the air-water interface.

COMPARATIVE EVALUATION OF FLEXURAL STRENGTH AND ELASTIC MODULUS OF PROVISIONAL CROWN AND BRIDGE MATERIALS AT DIFFERENT STORAGE INTERVALS.

Introduction: Provisional restorations are an integral part of xed prosthesis and dental implantology. They serve as a key role in functional and esthetic tryin for design of nal prosthesis. Fixed prosthesis prognosis depends on the quality of provisional restoration. In long term cases like full mouth rehabilitation and in implant supported prosthesis exural strength (FS) and elastic modulus (EM) of the interim prosthesis play a vital role. Aim: To evaluate and compare the exural strength (FS) and elastic modulus (EM) of provisional crown and bridge materials stored at different time intervals in articial saliva. Materials And Methods: Ninety bar-shaped specimens (with dimensions of 25 × 2 × 2 mm) as per American National Standards Institute (ANSI specication no 27) were fabricated with three provisional restorative materials Polymethyl Methacrylate (PMMA), Bis acrylic, Urethane dimethacrylate (UDMA) and are stored in articial saliva at different time intervals. Further three point bending test were carried out in universal testing machine to calculate FS and EM. Changes were evaluated and data was analysed using one way ANOVA and paired t test. Results: Results showed signicant difference (P&lt;0.05S) in FS values of provisional materials at different storage intervals except PMMA showed non-signicant difference (p&gt;0.05) between 10days to 30days storage. There was non-signicant difference (p&gt;0.05) of EM of bis-acryl samples between 24hrs to 10days and from10days to 30days of storage. Conclusion: Within the limitations of the study, it can be concluded that the FS and EM of Bis acrylic is comparatively better than PMMA and UDMA. Bis acrylic could be a better provisional restorative material for an extended period as less change was observed in elastic modulus of bisacryl during long term storage compared to other materials.

The Influence of Various Photoinitiators on the Properties of Commercial Dental Composites.

The aim of this article was to compare the biomechanical properties of commercial composites containing different photoinitiators: Filtek Ultimate (3M ESPE) containing camphorquinone (CQ); Estelite Σ Quick (Tokuyama Dental) with CQ in RAP Technology®; Tetric EvoCeram Bleach BLXL (Ivoclar Vivadent AG) with CQ and Lucirin TPO; and Tetric Evoceram Powerfill IVB (Ivoclar Vivadent AG) with CQ and Ivocerin TPO. All samples were cured with a polywave Valo Lamp (Ultradent Products Inc.) with 1450 mW/cm2. The microhardness, hardness by Vicker’s method, diametral tensile strength, flexural strength and contraction stress with photoelastic analysis were tested. The highest hardness and microhardness were observed for Filtek Ultimate (93.82 ± 17.44 HV), but other composites also displayed sufficient values (from 52 ± 3.92 to 58,82 ± 7.33 HV). Filtek Ultimate not only demonstrated the highest DTS (48.03 ± 5.97 MPa) and FS (87.32 ± 19.03 MPa) but also the highest contraction stress (13.7 ± 0.4 MPa) during polymerization. The TetricEvoCeram Powerfill has optimal microhardness (54.27 ± 4.1 HV), DTS (32.5 ± 5.29 MPa) and FS (79.3 ± 14.37 MPa) and the lowest contraction stress (7.4 ± 1 MPa) during photopolymerization. To summarize, Filtek Ultimate demonstrated the highest microhardness, FS and DTS values; however, composites with additional photoinitiators such as Lucirin TPO and Ivocerin have the lowest polymerization shrinkage. These composites also have higher FS and DTS and microhardness than material containing CQ in Rap Technology.

The Spatial Model using TRIGRS to determine Rainfall-Induced Landslides in Banjarnegara, Central Java, Indonesia

Severe landslides followed by debris flow were recorded to have occurred on 12 December 2014 and discovered to have ruined infrastructures and buried hundreds of peoples in Karangkobar subdistrict of Banjarnegara district, Central Java. There was, however, a high rainfall of up to 200 mm per day for two days before the disaster. Therefore, this research was conducted to predict and assess the landslide area using Transient Rainfall Infiltration and Grid-Based Regional Slope-Stability (TRIGRS) version 2.0 model to calculate the pore water pressure and safety factor (FS) during rainfall infiltration. The TRIGRS model focused on spatial analysis. The data used as input for this analysis include the DEM, geological and geotechnical properties, infiltration variables, and rainfall intensity. Meanwhile, the FS value was observed to be lowest at the initial condition before rainfall infiltration by ranging between 1 and 1.2 and distributed at the steep slope area near Jemblung. The results were validated through the back analysis of a reference landslide event and the instability in the area was confirmed to be initiated in the 3 three hours of rainfall while the hazards area occurs majorly at the steep slopes with slope angles greater than 30o after 24 hours. The simulation results showed the steep slope area with an inclination angle greater than 30o is susceptible to failure during the rainfall infiltration due to FS &lt; 1.2 while some locations with steep slopes were likely not to fail as indicated by FS &gt;1.2. This study generally concluded that the TRIGRS was able to predict the location of the failure when compared with the results from the field observation of the landslide occurrences.

Threadfin Porgy (Evynnis Cardinalis) Haplotype Pattern and Genetic Structure in Beibu Gulf, South China Sea

Threadfin porgy (Evynnis cardinalis) is one of the important commercial fishing targets of bottom trawl fishery in the northern South China Sea. It is mainly threatened by overexploitation and listed as endangered species in the IUCN Red List. To investigate the demographic history and genetic structure of E. cardinalis population, partial sequences of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) gene were obtained from 162 individuals collected from Beibu Gulf, South China Sea. In total, 44 different haplotypes were identified, and the dominant haplotype was found in all sampling sites. Across the dataset, nucleotide diversity was low, whereas haplotype diversity was high. Low pairwise comparisons of ΦST and high gene flow among sampling sites revealed a genetically homogeneous population structure in Beibu Gulf, indicating a single panmictic stock of E. cardinalis in this area. The star-like haplotype network, unimodal mismatch distribution, and significantly negative Tajima’s D and Fu’s Fs values indicated recent population demographic expansion of E. cardinalis. The mismatch distribution and Bayesian skyline plot results indicated that E. cardinalis from Beibu Gulf might have experienced colonization and demographic expansion due to sea level fluctuations during the late Pleistocene.

High genetic diversity of Giardia duodenalis assemblage E in Chinese dairy cattle.

Giardia duodenalis is a common protozoan parasite that can infect humans and animals. Although previous studies demonstrated that the assemblage E of G. duodenalis is prevalent in cattle, studies on its genetic diversity were mostly based on single loci and very few involved multilocus analysis. To better understand the genetic variability and structure of G. duodenalis assemblage E in Chinese dairy cattle, 651 multilocus sequences derived from nine provinces (Gansu, Guangdong, Henan, Jiangsu, Ningxia, Shaanxi, Shanghai, Sichuan and Xinjiang) of China were analyzed in this study. Results showed that a total of 220 haplotypes were identified in the G. duodenalis assemblage E, with a high haplotype diversity (Hd=0.97225) and low nucleotide diversity (π=0.00259). The genetic differentiation index (FST) and gene flow (Nm) results indicated low degree of genetic differentiation, implying frequent genetic communication. Combined with the analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA), genetic variation within populations (81.7%) was higher than that among populations (18.3%), indicating low degree of genetic differentiation between populations. Such low rates of gene differentiation supported no significant correlations with geographical divisions. Moreover, both negative Tajima's D and Fu's FS values of neutrality tests and unimodal curve of mismatch distribution analyses indicated that G. duodenalis assemblage E population in Chinese dairy cattle had experienced demographic expansion. Overall, these findings contribute to an improved understanding of the population genetics and evolutionary biology of G. duodenalis assemblage E and assist in its control in cattle.

A comparative study of left ventricular function during pregnancy without and with gestational hypertension and gestational diabetes mellitus

The use of nanoscale ultrasonic contrast agent greatly improved the reliability of ultrasonic technology detection, and it became an effective tool to detect a series of diseases. Gestational hypertension and Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM) are unique and common complications during pregnancy, and they seriously affect women’s postnatal health. In this study, we evaluated the practical value of echocardiogram in evaluating Left Ventricular (LV) morphology and function changes during pregnancy with gestational hypertension and GDM. 46 pregnant women with gestational hypertension and GDM as disease group and 50 healthy pregnant women as normal group were included in the study. By echocardiogram analysis, the morphology, systole and diastole functions of LV were compared in both groups. With LV morphology change during pregnancy, LA volume (P = 0.011) of disease group was bigger than that of normal group and LV mass (P &lt; 0.0001) and LVMi (P &lt; 0.0001) of disease group were higher than that of normal group. However, the LVPWd (P &lt; 0.0001) and IVSd (P &lt; 0.0001) of disease group thickened clearly relative to that of the normal group. However, these values, including LVIDd (P = 0.185), EF value (P = 0.779), FS value (P = 0.740) and Cardiac Index (P = 0.444) for their cardiac LV systolic functions of two groups, had very few large-scale differences. Compared to normal pregnant cardiac, the E value (P = 0.014) was lower and the A value (P &lt; 0.0001) was higher in the disease group. Moreover, E/A ratio (P &lt; 0.0001) was obviously less than that in the experimental. According to TDI measures for both groups, the E’ value (P &lt; 0.0001) and ratio of E/A’ (P &lt; 0.0001) were lower and A’ value (P = 0.003) was slightly higher in the disease group compared with normal group. In recent years, we found that the E/E’ value (P = 0.0002) in the disease group was also higher. In summary, LV diastolic function during pregnancy with complications changes pregnant LV morphology and function. Echocardiogram can be used for testing and monitoring these changes as one of simple and reliable inspection methods.

The influence of stocking levels, clone, fertilization, and weed control on surface CO2 efflux in a mid-rotation Pinus radiata D. Don plantation in Canterbury, New Zealand

Silvicultural practices applied in managed forest plantations may help counteract the effects of climate change by influencing soil surface CO2 efflux (Fs). Understanding the effects of silvicultural practices on Fs will provide unbiased estimates of carbon fluxes and allow better silvicultural decisions for carbon sequestration. Therefore, we assessed how Fs differed seasonally across silvicultural practices (i.e., stocking levels, clone, fertilization and weed control treatments) and evaluated the effects of soil temperature (Ts) and soil volumetric water content (θv) on Fs across these practices for a mid-rotation (14 year-old) Pinus radiata plantation in the Canterbury region of New Zealand. There were significant differences in Fs (p < 0.05) over the four seasons, three levels of stocking, and five clones. The effects of fertilization and weed control applied 12 years previously on Fs were insignificant. Annual estimate of Fs (mean ± 1 standard deviation) from the study site was 22.7 ± 7.1 t ha−1 a−1 in the form of CO2 (6.2 ± 2.1 t ha−1 a−1 in the form of C). Fs values were consistently higher in plots with 1250 stems ha−1 compared to 2500 stems ha−1, which may be related to a strong soil resource limitation because of the close spacing in the latter plantation. Significant differences in Fs across clones suggest that variations in carbon partitioning might explain their growth performance. Silvicultural treatments influenced Fs response to soil temperature (p < 0.05), resulting in models explaining 28–49% of the total variance in Fs. These findings provide insights into how silvicultural management decisions may impact Fs in mid-rotation radiata pine plantations, contributing towards developing more precise and unbiased plantation carbon budgets.

Genetic diversity analysis of brown marmorated stink bug, Halyomorpha halys based on mitochondrial COI and COII haplotypes

BackgroundIn the past decade, the brown marmorated stink bug (BMSB), Halyomorpha halys (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) has caused extensive damage to global agriculture. As a high-risk pest for many countries, including New Zealand, it is important to explore its genetic diversity to enhance our knowledge and devise management strategies for BMSB populations. In this study, two mitochondrial genes, Cytochrome c oxidase I (COI) and Cytochrome c oxidase II (COII) were used to explore the genetic diversity among 463 BMSB individuals collected from 12 countries.ResultIn total, 51 COI and 29 COII haplotypes of BMSB were found, which formed 59 combined haplotypes (5 reported and 54 novel). Of these, H1h1 was the predominant haplotype. The haplotype diversity (Hd) and nucleotide diversity (π) were high while the neutrality (Fu’s Fs) values were negative for the BMSB populations in the native countries, China, and Japan. For the BMSB populations from the invaded countries, the Fu’s Fs values were negative for populations from Chile, Georgia, Hungary, Italy, Romania, Turkey, and USA, indicating that those populations are under demographic expansion. In comparison, the Fu’s Fs values were positive for the populations from Austria, Serbia, and Slovenia, revealing a potential population bottleneck. Analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) suggested that significant genetic difference exists among the BMSB populations from China, Japan, and the invasive countries.ConclusionThis study revealed that the haplotype diversity of the BMSB populations was high in those two studied countries where BMSB is native to (China and Japan) but low in those countries which have been invaded by the species. The analysis indicated that multiple invasions of BMSB occurred in Europe and the USA. The study also revealed three ancestral lines and most of the novel haplotypes were evolved from them. Moreover, we observed two genetic clusters in the invasive populations that are formed during different invasion events. Our study provided a comprehensive overview on the global haplotypes distribution thus expanding the existing knowledge on BMSB genetic diversity that potentially could play an important role in formulating feasible pest management strategies.

In-silico Analysis of Mt-CO1 Gene of Taenia Hydatigena Sheep Isolates.

SummaryTaenia hydatigena is a tapeworm that affects herbivores in different regions of the world. Cysticercus tenuicollis (larvae of T. hydatigena), is prevalent in ruminants and pigs. In the current study, phylogenetic analysis of the published mt-CO1 gene of C. tenuicollis sheep isolates was analyzed using in-silico method and vertical and horizontal transmission at the global level by using a meta-analysis approach. A total of 82 mt-CO1 nucleotide sequences (339 bp) of C. tenuicollis sheep isolates from the NCBI database (Italy -Sardinia-, Iran, Palestine, Iraq, Finland, India and China) were used to investigate haplotype and genetic relationships. Tajima’s D (-2,2984) value was negative for the mt-CO1 sequences signifying the population expansion and/or purifying selection. The highly negative Fu’s Fs (-60,528) values determined for the sequences reflecting the existence of uncommon haplotypes. The mt-CO1 of C. tenuicollis haplotype network had 47 haplotypes arranged within a star-like configuration with a main haplotype, which encompassed 25.6 % of the total isolates. In the mt-CO1 haplotype network analyzed, there were 80.5 % unique single haplotype and highest ratio was observed in C. tenuicollis from sheep originating from Iran, followed by Sardinia, Palestine and Finland. If the current condition continues, genetic differences in T. hydatigena will be able to rise, and possible new strains and/or genotypes that may influence the host adaptation and life cycle of the parasite may emerge.