Several Groups Of Individuals Research Articles

Reproduction of the endangered fan mussel Pinna nobilis under natural and captivity conditions

Abstract A mass mortality event that started in 2016 has put the fan mussel Pinna nobilis close to the brink of extinction, leading to the species being classified as Critically Endangered in the Red List of the International Union for Conservation of Nature. Under current circumstances, with the persistence of the disease caused by Haplosporidium pinnae in the open sea, isolated populations in coastal lagoons and estuarine bays appear to be the main chance for the survival of the species. The low resilience of those populations highlights the importance of implementing additional measures to avoid the extinction of the fan mussel. One of these measures relies on completing its reproductive cycle in captivity. The reproductive window of the remaining fan mussel population in Alfacs Bay was explored to obtain gametes and to understand possible limitations in the reproductive activity in wild populations. For this purpose, during the reproductive season, several groups of individuals were relocated for short periods (~2 weeks) into the vivarium to obtain gametes under controlled conditions. Simultaneously, controlled temperature treatments and adapted food dosage for conditioning adult fan mussels out of their reproductive season in the wild were conducted in a recirculating aquaculture system. The reproduction of natural populations was mostly restricted to May, featuring temperatures around 20°C. A low success of spawning was obtained in the vivarium, with a 0% success in 11 out of 20 of the trials (six to nine individuals each) and an overall success of 16% (25 out of 156 individuals). A 100% success (14 out of 14) was obtained with individuals conditioned for ~2 months in the recirculating aquaculture system. A second conditioning of six of those individuals was attempted after a ~3‐month period, with a 33.3% success of spawning.

Level of Awareness & Attentiveness Associated to Novel Corona Virus (Covid-19) among People of Pakistan

Background: Corona viruses are huge family of viruses named for the crown-like spikes on their surface. There are seven CoV viruses which will infect humans, including the “2019 Novel Corona virus” (the infection right now making features), SARS and MERS.. Symptoms include fever, breathlessness, and coughing. The illness spreads through animals and shut contact with people that have already been infected currently the virus is spreading from person to person in China as many recent cases don't seem to be related to animal markets. Method: A cross sectional investigation about the attention of corona virus (CoV), its symptoms, diagnosis and treatment was directed in several groups of individuals i.e, literate and illiterate people of Pakistan. Data was collected by means of survey based questionnaire which was prepared by the pharmacy students of Jinnah University for Women. Result: According to demographic data obtained by the cross sectional investigation about the attention of corona virus in Pakistan which was conducted among literate and illiterate people (18-25 of age).Out of which 47.9% were medical students, among these people 92.6% knew about corona virus and 97.5% people knew about its person to person transmission, and 58.8% understand its symptoms in keeping with this survey only 23.5% people knew the treatment, 76.5% people didn’t even understand the diagnosis of corona virus. Conclusion: The motivation behind this study was to assemble the information about the extent of control of corona virus with improving knowledge awareness of CoV (COVID-19) to raised inform patients about this life threatening disease in health care systems.

Analisis Gaya Kepemimpinan, Beban Kerja, Lingkungan Kerja terhadap Kinerja Karyawan dan Kepuasan Kerja sebagai Variabel Intervening (Studi Empiris pada PT. Simone Accessary Collection)

The company is an organization consisting of several groups of individuals, where they work together with each other and carry out various activities that have been planned, to achieve the results of the goals that have been planned. In carrying out or completing these various activities, of course human resources will be involved as a means of supporting the completion of the company's activities. The research was conducted at PT. Simone Accesarry Collection Bogor. By taking a sample of 100 respondents as a research sample, which is calculated using the Slovin formula from a total population of 2,000 at a margin of error of 10%. Collecting data using a questionnaire, five measurement scales from strongly disagree to strongly agree, with an ordinal scale. The research was carried out quantitatively, as an analytical tool used Statistical Package for the Social Sciences SPSS version 20 analysis, while hypothesis testing was carried out with t-test and sig 0.05. The study produced ten main findings in accordance with the proposed hypothesis, namely the first path test in the study concluded that the influential and significant impact was between: Leadership Style, Workload, and Work Environment on Job Satisfaction. Leadership Style, Workload, and Job Satisfaction on Employee Performance. Work environment has a positive but not significant effect on employee performance. The second line of research in the study concludes that job satisfaction can moderate the Leadership Style, Workload, and Work Environment on Employee Performance through Job Satisfaction.

In search of the origin of inequalities: Gender study and variability of social organization in the first farmers societies of western Europe (Linearbandkeramik culture)

• A crosscutting gender approach to the whole LBK is taken in order to bring to the fore the similarities and differences in social organization on a local, regional and pan European level. • From east to west, four main cores are highlighted by comparing burial goods with the data on sex and age, analysis indicating origin, nutrition and health conditions, and the sexual division of labor. • In the third core, from Slovakia to Alsace, several groups of individuals with different social and economic roles arise, including a group of dominant men practicing prestigious activities and holding a specific right to the land. • The beginning of this patriarchal organization starts in Trandanubia (second core) and ends in the Paris basin (fourth core) where another organization seems to emerge, suggested by the specific rich ornaments of some women, who may belong to a dominant social class. • These probable inequalities that characterize the LBK culture are based on material wealth and the capacity to produce and capitalize on it, which are the main differences from hunter-gatherer societies. In this paper, a gender approach attempts to address social organization and its variability in the Linearbandkeramik (LBK). By comparing burial goods with the sex and age of the individuals, with data on origin, nutrition and health, and examining the sexual division of labor, we aim to determine the variability in social organization from 5500 to 4900 BCE in an extensive area that encompasses the Carpathian basin to the Paris basin. Four main cores emerge, central European core being the most cohesive. Human groups may have had different social and economic roles. In particular, a dominant group with the land rights and the responsibility for ensuring the social and territorial stability, was made up of local men with a higher intake of animal protein, who were buried in central places with adzes. This model collapses at the end of the LBK in the Paris basin where women in elaborate dress stand out and authority seems to be attributed to a social class. This would have led to inequalities based on the amount of material wealth and the capacity to produce and capitalize on it. This is perhaps one of the differences between hunter-gatherer societies and Early Farmers.

Application and Validation of Heterogram Analysis on Individualism-Collectivism Data across Three Countries

The prevalent method to analyze data from several groups of individuals is to define some ad hoc boundaries of individuals-for example geographic, ethnic or gender boundaries and then compare statistical means and deviations between groups. This method assumes homogeneity within each ad hoc group and treats differences among individuals in each group as subgroup variations. Instead of imposing ad-hoc boundaries, we used a new method "heterogram analysis" (Maruyama, 1999) that looks for response datagenerated grouping of individuals and the meaningfulness of each emerging group. This approach was applied to individual-level individualism-collectivism data from three countries. The results showed five individual types that cut across traditional geographic, ethnic and gender boundaries. These types were validated by two other measures. Implications of findings are discussed.

Food Consumption within Greek Households: Further Evidence from a National Representative Sample

The aim of this study is to characterize the relationship between food consumption and socio-demographic characteristics in several groups of individuals. This is achieved by capturing the quantity of food purchased in categories on a microeconomic level. The empirical analysis is approached through the estimation of (a) expanded generalized linear models, (b) quantile regression models, (c) quadratic almost ideal demand system models and (d) Deaton’s (1988) approach. The results reveal that the composition of a household has a significant impact on the quantity of food consumed. In addition, price and income elasticities are estimated, confirming that the majority of food items are inelastic with respect to price and income except for meat. These findings can be used as a basis for considering food policy implications while evaluating the potential gains from applying specific policies.

Gill chamber and gut microbial communities of the hydrothermal shrimp Rimicaris chacei Williams and Rona 1986: A possible symbiosis.

Rimicaris chacei Williams and Rona 1986, formerly named as Chorocaris chacei, is a caridean shrimp living in deep-sea hydrothermal ecosystems. This shrimp is endemic to the Mid Atlantic Ridge (MAR) and lives at the periphery of aggregates of its well-known congeneric R. exoculata Williams and Rona 1986. Contrasting with the very dense and mobile clusters formed by R. exoculata, R. chacei lives in small groups of several individuals that are not very mobile. Although devoid of the characteristic hypertrophied cephalothorax of R. exoculata, which harbors the ectosymbionts, a microbial community has also been reported in the cephalothorax of R. chacei. Previous data on morphology, behavior and isotopic values indicate a diet based on a combination of feeding on its epibiotic bacteria and scavenging or occasional predation. In this study, our objective was to describe, for the first time, the distribution, morphology and phylogeny of the microbial communities associated with R. chacei. This species is significantly less studied than R. exoculata, but nevertheless represents the only other known example of symbiosis in crustaceans of MAR hydrothermal vent sites. Microbial communities have been observed at the same locations as in R. exoculata (mouthparts, branchiostegites and digestive tract). However, in R. chacei, the surfaces occupied by the bacteria are smaller. The main lineages are affiliated to Epsilon and Gammaproteobacteria in the cephalothorax and to Deferribacteres, Mollicutes, Epsilon and Gammaproteobacteria in the digestive tract. Comparison with the well-described bacterial communities of R. exoculata and hypotheses about the role of these communities in R. chacei are discussed.

Melatonin: A Molecule for Reducing Breast Cancer Risk.

The objective of this article is to review the basis supporting the usefulness of melatonin as an adjuvant therapy for breast cancer (BC) prevention in several groups of individuals at high risk for this disease. Melatonin, as a result of its antiestrogenic and antioxidant properties, as well as its ability to improve the efficacy and reduce the side effects of conventional antiestrogens, could safely be associated with the antiestrogenic drugs presently in use. In individuals at risk of BC due to night shift work, the light-induced inhibition of melatonin secretion, with the consequent loss of its antiestrogenic effects, would be countered by administering this neurohormone. BC risk from exposure to metalloestrogens, such as cadmium, could be treated with melatonin supplements to individuals at risk of BC due to exposure to this xenoestrogen. The BC risk related to obesity may be reduced by melatonin which decrease body fat mass, inhibits the enhanced aromatase expression in obese women, increases adiponectin secretion, counteracts the oncogenic effects of elevated concentrations of leptin; and decreases blood glucose levels and insulin resistance. Despite compelling experimental evidence of melatonin’s oncostatic actions being susceptible to lowering BC risk, there is still a paucity of clinical trials focused on this subject.

Effect of resistance exercise training on blood pressure in Indians: Systematic review

Backround: Hypertension (HTN) is an emerging silent killer causing 6% deaths worldwide. HTN is defined as systolic blood pressure (BP) ≥140 mmHg, a diastolic BP (DBP) ≥90 mmHg. Methodology: A database of randomized controlled trials on the effect of exercise training on BP is searched. A systematic search was conducted of resistance training for the period November 1, 2015, until February 28, 2016. The search strategy included key words RE, training, BP, and India, and these were combined with a sensitive search strategy to identify randomized controlled trials. About 1220 articles published since 2012 were identified for review. Of these 1220 publications, 93 trials were included in the review. Some of these trials involved several groups of individuals or applied different training regimens so that a total of six studies were used for review. Collectively, exercise intervention length minimum from 4 weeks. For those studies that reported data, the between study frequency ranged from 1 to 7 times per week, and intensity ranged from 30% to 100% of 1 repetition maximum (RM) for dynamic resistance training. Resuts: The results suggest that there was a mean reduction of 4.84 mmHg in SBP and 3.11 mmHg in DBP in resistance training group. Conclusion: The present review concludes that RE training reduces the BP in Indians.

Algorithmic Mechanism Design of Evolutionary Computation.

We consider algorithmic design, enhancement, and improvement of evolutionary computation as a mechanism design problem. All individuals or several groups of individuals can be considered as self-interested agents. The individuals in evolutionary computation can manipulate parameter settings and operations by satisfying their own preferences, which are defined by an evolutionary computation algorithm designer, rather than by following a fixed algorithm rule. Evolutionary computation algorithm designers or self-adaptive methods should construct proper rules and mechanisms for all agents (individuals) to conduct their evolution behaviour correctly in order to definitely achieve the desired and preset objective(s). As a case study, we propose a formal framework on parameter setting, strategy selection, and algorithmic design of evolutionary computation by considering the Nash strategy equilibrium of a mechanism design in the search process. The evaluation results present the efficiency of the framework. This primary principle can be implemented in any evolutionary computation algorithm that needs to consider strategy selection issues in its optimization process. The final objective of our work is to solve evolutionary computation design as an algorithmic mechanism design problem and establish its fundamental aspect by taking this perspective. This paper is the first step towards achieving this objective by implementing a strategy equilibrium solution (such as Nash equilibrium) in evolutionary computation algorithm.

Key goals and indicators for successful aging of adults with early-onset disability

Substantial improvements have occurred in the longevity of several groups of individuals with early-onset disabilities, with many now surviving to advanced ages. This paper estimates the population of adults aging with early-onset disabilities at 12–15 million persons. Key goals for the successful aging of adults with early-onset disabilities are discussed, emphasizing reduction in risks for aging-related chronic disease and secondary conditions, while promoting social participation and independence. However, indicators suggest that elevated risk factors for aging-related chronic diseases, including smoking, obesity, and inactivity, as well as barriers to prevention and the diminished social and economic situation of adults with disabilities are continuing impediments to successful aging that must be addressed. Increased provider awareness that people with early-onset disabilities are aging and can age successfully and the integration of disability and aging services systems are transformative steps that will help adults with early-onset disability to age more successfully.

Job search requirements for older unemployed: Transitions to employment, early retirement and disability benefits

We use a recent policy change in the Netherlands to study how changes in search requirements for the older unemployed affect their transition rates to employment, early retirement and sickness/disability benefits. The reform, becoming effective on January 1 2004, requires the elderly to formally report their job search efforts to the employment office in order to avoid a (temporary) cut in benefits. Before the new law was passed, unemployed individuals were allowed to stop all search activity at the moment they turned 57.5. Estimating various duration models using difference-in-difference and regression discontinuity approaches, we find that for several groups of individuals who are affected by the policy change, the stricter search requirements significantly increases their entry rate into employment. However, we also find evidence of a higher outflow to sickness/disability insurance schemes, a presumably unwanted side-effect of the policy change.

Nonparametric Regression Analysis for Group Testing Data

Group testing is a procedure used to reduce the cost and increase the speed of large screening studies in which infection or contamination of individuals is detected by a test carried out on a sample of, for example, blood, urine, or water. Instead of testing the sample of each individual, the method involves pooling samples of groups of several individuals and testing those pooled samples. We construct a nonparametric procedure for estimating the conditional probability of contamination given an explanatory variable when the observations are pooled data of this type. We investigate asymptotic theoretical properties of the estimator and establish its consistency. The procedure requires selecting an important smoothing parameter, and we suggest a way to do this automatically from the data. We illustrate the numerical performance of the method on some simulated examples and on data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. We discuss extensions of the procedure to cases where the test is imprecise and the covariates are observed inaccurately, and to the multivariate setting. Supplemental materials including proofs, R codes, and additional simulation results are available from the online JASA website.

Common functional principal components analysis: A new approach to analyzing human movement data

In many human movement studies angle-time series data on several groups of individuals are measured. Current methods to compare groups include comparisons of the mean value in each group or use multivariate techniques such as principal components analysis and perform tests on the principal component scores. Such methods have been useful, though discard a large amount of information. Functional data analysis (FDA) is an emerging statistical analysis technique in human movement research which treats the angle-time series data as a function rather than a series of discrete measurements. This approach retains all of the information in the data. Functional principal components analysis (FPCA) is an extension of multivariate principal components analysis which examines the variability of a sample of curves and has been used to examine differences in movement patterns of several groups of individuals. Currently the functional principal components (FPCs) for each group are either determined separately (yielding components that are group-specific), or by combining the data for all groups and determining the FPCs of the combined data (yielding components that summarize the entire data set). The group-specific FPCs contain both within and between group variation and issues arise when comparing FPCs across groups when the order of the FPCs alter in each group. The FPCs of the combined data may not adequately describe all groups of individuals and comparisons between groups typically use t-tests of the mean FPC scores in each group. When these differences are statistically non-significant it can be difficult to determine how a particular intervention is affecting movement patterns or how injured subjects differ from controls. In this paper we aim to perform FPCA in a manner allowing sensible comparisons between groups of curves. A statistical technique called common functional principal components analysis (CFPCA) is implemented. CFPCA identifies the common sources of variation evident across groups but allows the order of each component to change for a particular group. This allows for the direct comparison of components across groups. We use our method to analyze a biomechanical data set examining the mechanisms of chronic Achilles tendon injury and the functional effects of orthoses.

Job Search Requirements for Older Unemployed: Transitions to Employment, Early Retirement and Disability Benefits

This discussion paper resulted in a publication in the 'European Economic Review' 2013, 58, 31-57. In this paper, we use a recent policy change in the Netherlands to study how changes in search requirements for the older unemployed affect their transition rates to employment, early retirement and sickness/disability benefits. The reform, becoming effective on January 1st 2004, required the elderly to formally report their job search efforts to the employment office in order to avoid a (temporary) cut in benefits. Before the new law was passed, unemployed were allowed to stop all search activity at the moment they turned 57.5. Estimating various duration models using difference-in-difference and regression discontinuity approaches, we find that for several groups of individuals that were affected by the policy change, the stricter search requirements did significantly increase their entry rate into employment. However, we also find evidence of a higher outflow to sickness/disability insurance schemes, a presumably unwanted side-effect of the policy change.

Job Search Requirements for Older Unemployed: Transitions to Employment, Early Retirement and Disability Benefits

We use a recent policy change in the Netherlands to study how changes in search requirements for the older unemployed affect their transition rates to employment, early retirement and sickness/disability benefits. The reform, becoming effective on January 1st 2004, requires the elderly to formally report their job search efforts to the employment office in order to avoid a (temporary) cut in benefits. Before the new law was passed, unemployed individuals were allowed to stop all search activity at the moment they turned 57.5. Estimating various duration models using difference-in-difference and regression discontinuity approaches, we find that for several groups of individuals who are affected by the policy change, the stricter search requirements significantly increases their entry rate into employment. However, we also find evidence of a higher outflow to sickness/disability insurance schemes, a presumably unwanted side-effect of the policy change.

Re-investigation of Mimetaster hexagonalis: a marrellomorph arthropod from the Lower Devonian Hunsrück Slate (Germany)

The arthropod Mimetaster hexagonalis Gurich, 1931 from the Lower Devonian Hunsruck Slate (Germany) is re-described. With 123 available individuals, M. hexagonalis is the most abundant non-trilobite arthropod from this Lagerstatte. New (as well as old) specimen material shows new morphological features of M. hexagonalis. The ontogeny is described based on three juvenile specimens. The growth mode is similar to that in the marrellomorph Vachonisia rogeri Lehmann, 1955. The number of trunk segments increases from juvenile to adult. The mode of life of the arthropod is re-considered. The arthropod is considered to live in groups of several individuals. A mutualistic relationship with sponges of unknown systematic affinities is most likely. An ecological interaction with tentaculitoids is recognized but needs further investigation. The phylogenetic position of M. hexagonalis as a member of the Marrellomorpha is confirmed, but remains to be explored within the broader frame of euarthropod phylogeny.

Competing for Recognition through Public Good Provision

We consider a setting in which several groups of individuals with common interests (``clubs") compete with each other for recognition by other individuals. Depending on the context, recognition may be expressed by these other individuals joining a club, or choosing one club to admire. Clubs compete by providing a public good. Competition between clubs increases the public good provision level, and a sufficiently strong competition effect may even lead to overprovision. The model thus limits the argument for subsidies to the private providers of public goods. We discuss implications of the model for open-source software projects, university fundraising and infrastructure competition between cities.

BOOK REVIEWS

An operating theatre can be an intimidating place, particularly one in which cardiac surgery is being performed. Several groups of individuals (surgeons, anaesthetists, nurses, perfusionists) have to work together in a highly coordinated and systematic manner in order for an operation to proceed smoothly and safely. For the uninitiated, this can be an overwhelming experience.

Competing for Recognition Through Public Good Provision

Consider a setting in which several groups of individuals with common interests (clubs) compete with each other for recognition by other individuals. Depending on the context, recognition may be expressed by these other individuals joining a club, or choosing one club to admire. Clubs compete by providing a public good. Some examples for applications of this model include: (i) Churches missionarizing to attract new members; (ii) Open-source software projects and Wikipedia; (iii) professors of an economics department competing to attract graduate students to their respective fields; (iv) artists and researchers aiming for recognition of their work by their peers and the public. We show that competition for recognition may lead to an overprovision of public goods by private providers. Furthermore, there is little crowding out when the state provides some of the public good.