Period Of Fast Growth Research Articles

Reconstructing the Dissemination Dynamics of the Major HIV-1 Subtype B Non-Pandemic Lineage Circulating in Brazil

Non-pandemic variants of the Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 (HIV-1) subtype B accounts for a significant fraction of HIV infections in several Caribbean islands, Northeastern South American countries and the Northern Brazilian states of Roraima and Amazonas. In this paper, we used a comprehensive dataset of HIV-1 subtype B pol sequences sampled in Amazonas and Roraima between 2007 and 2017 to reconstruct the phylogeographic and demographic dynamics of the major HIV-1 subtype B non-pandemic Brazilian lineage, designated as BCAR-BR-I. Our analyses revealed that its origin could be traced to one of many viral introductions from French Guiana and Guyana into Northern Brazil, which probably occurred in the state of Amazonas around the late 1970s. The BCAR-BR-I clade was rapidly disseminated from Amazonas to Roraima, and the epidemic grew exponentially in these Northern Brazilian states during the 1980s and 1990s, coinciding with a period of economic and fast population growth in the region. The spreading rate of the BCAR-BR-I clade, however, seems to have slowed down since the early 2000s, despite the continued expansion of the HIV-1 epidemic in this region in the last decade.

Chronic efffects of bisphenol an exposure on zebrafish (Danio rerio) at juvenile state

Introduction: Bisphenol A (BPA) is an endocrine disrupting chemical, therefore some countries have banned the use of it in plastic containers for food storage and plastic toys for children. BPA can be found in natural waters with measured concentrations varying from ng/l to mg/l. However, in fact that the chronic ecotoxicology data obtained from aquatic animals for BPA exposure at these levels are quite few.
 Methods: In this study zebrafish at 30 days of age were exposed to four variants 0, 1, 10 and 100 μg/l BPA along 60 days, which is the fasted growth period in zebrafish (Juvenile stage). At the end of the experiments, all fish weight and length were measured and their fresh livers were used for histological assessment.
 Results: The results showed that weight and length of fish in 100 mg/l BPA group increased significantly as compared with that in the other experimental groups. Also only in this group, changes in hepatic morphology such as vacuolar number and size increasement, cytoplasmicand/or nuclear enlargement, glycogen reduction, lipid enhancement, were observed, but especially no significant inflammation. Fish in the other groups exposed to BPA concentrations <100mg/l had no change in all targeted endpoints as compared with that of the control.
 Conclusion: Chronic exposure of 100mg/L BPA to zebrafish along the fast-growth period (Juvenile) caused increasement of weight and length, and altered morphology of hepatic cells, that may harm to liver functions.

Periodicity of the growth-band formation in vertebrae of juvenile scalloped hammerhead shark Sphyrna lewini from the Mexican Pacific Ocean.

The age of 296 juvenile scalloped hammerhead sharks Sphyrna lewini caught by several fisheries in the Mexican Pacific Ocean from March 2007 to September 2017 were estimated from growth band counts in thin-sectioned vertebrae. Marginal-increment analysis (MIA) and centrum-edge analysis (CEA) were used to verify the periodicity of formation of the growth bands, whereas elemental profiles obtained from LA-ICP-MS transect scans in vertebrae of 15 juveniles were used as an alternative approach to verify the age of the species for the first time. Age estimates ranged from 0 to 10+ years (42-158.7 cm total length; LT ). The index of average percentage error (IAPE 3.6%), CV (5.2%), bias plots and Bowker's tests of symmetry showed precise and low-biased age estimation. Both MIA and CEA indicated that in the vertebrae of juveniles of S. lewini a single translucent growth band was formed during winter (November-March) and an opaque band during summer (July-September), a period of faster growth, apparently correlated with a higher sea surface temperature. Peaks in vertebral P and Mn content spatially corresponded with the annual banding pattern in most of the samples, displaying 1.19 and 0.88 peaks per opaque band, respectively, which closely matched the annual deposition rate observed in this study. Although the periodicity of growth band formation needs to be verified for all sizes and ages representing the population of the species in the region, this demonstration of the annual formation of the growth bands in the vertebrae of juveniles should lead to a re-estimation of the growth parameters and productivity of the population to ensure that it is harvested at sustainable levels.

Bone histology of two pareiasaurs from Russia (Deltavjatia rossica and Scutosaurus karpinskii) with implications for pareiasaurian palaeobiology

Abstract Pareiasaurs were one of the main clades of large herbivorous tetrapods in Middle–Late Permian continental ecosystems. Despite abundant pareiasaur material, many aspects of their biology remain poorly known. This paper provides a description of ontogenetic changes in long-bone and rib microanatomy/histology of two Upper Permian pareiasaurs from Russia, Deltavjatia rossica and Scutosaurus karpinskii. Analysis of a growth series of bones of Deltavjatia and Scutosaurus revealed rapid and cyclical growth early in ontogeny (as indicated by fast-growing fibrolamellar bone with lines of arrested growth). This was followed by a change in the growth pattern (as indicated by an outer avascular layer of lamellar bone in the cortex) and a decrease in the growth rate after 50% of maximum body size was reached in Deltavjatia and 75% in Scutosaurus (larger body sizes in Scutosaurus were attained through an extended initial period of fast skeletal growth). The study confirms that the bones of all pareiasaurs are histologically and microanatomically uniform [spongious (porous) microstructure and a very thin compact cortex] and indicate a similar growth strategy (a short initial period of rapid and cyclical growth followed by a long period of slow growth). The microanatomical characteristics of pareiasaurs do not provide a clear indication of their lifestyle.

Prognosis of product take-back for enhanced remanufacturing

Remanufacturing reduces final wastes to sinks, extraction of virgin materials and pollution from production processes by reinstating products taken back by end-users to satisfy part of overall demand. Product returns are delayed and possibly limited in periods of fast growth and excessive in the aftermath. Varying growth/demand and volatile take back by consumers and industrial end-users introduce uncertainty, regarding quantity and quality of returns. As remanufacturing expands, escalating competition for acquisition of high quality returns exacerbates uncertainty. Production planning and control for efficient remanufacturing depends on reliable prediction of quantity and quality of returns. A method is developed for prognosis of product return quantity and quality grades, as reflected by vintage flows. It is anchored on a law relating stock and end-of-life level, under random losses and arbitrary end-of-life distribution. Efficacy is tested via a model that describes stock and flows in reuse/remanufacturing, allowing for varying demand, random stock losses, random product returns with time-varying distributions and time-varying utilisation of product returns. Realisations are obtained by Marko-chain Monte-Carlo simulation. Inherently integral in nature, using scaled data and founded on rigorous balances, the method enables prognosis of returns and age-vintage flows, under realistic conditions, including unknown nonlinearities and non-stationarities. It features improved performance (mean absolute error less than one half) compared to leading methods in-use that employ black-box models with error-driven parameter adaptation (e.g. regression). Efficacy is particularly high at crucial peaks and lows (shortage or surplus periods) enabling resourceful planning of acquisition and inventory control of product returns towards sustainability.

Epistemología genética y la (in)visibilidad de los enfoques constructivistas en neurociencias

This paper discusses the current debate about the field of cognitive neurosciences, its possible relation with the genetic epistemology of Jean Piaget and the reasons why the constructivist approaches in the neurosciences have been little promoted. In order to demonstrate that the neurosciences don’t constitute a singular, unanimous and finalized area as it establishes the common sense, is proposed a theoretical revision of the stages of development of Piaget and the discussion of the psycho-physiological parallelism defended by him. Thus, is presented the neurobiological evidences pointed out by Herman T. Epstein for the occurrence of Phrenoblysis (periods of fast brain growth), interspersed with periods of slow growth and that occurring in correlation with the Piagetian stages. With this, we search to draw possible approximations between the genetic epistemology of Piaget and cognitive neurosciences, demonstrating that human cognitive development is structured in the psychological and biological pillars, and that these are linked to social, cultural, educational and genetic factors as well as to demonstrate that the base of support of the constructivist pole in the neurosciences is quite solid. Also is discussed that the superficial analysis of Piagetian precepts, the adoption of partiality and omission of data, the failure to consider his works as a whole, the attachment to isolated works in certain periods, secondary and tertiary readings of the Piagetian work and the problems of reading and translation of the original texts impede Piaget’s view as epistemologist and justify the little dissemination of the constructivist approach in neuroscientific research.

Firm Entry and Exit and Aggregate Growth

Applying the Foster, Haltiwanger, and Krizan (FHK) (2001) decomposition to plant-level manufacturing data from Chile and Korea, we find that the entry and exit of plants account for a larger fraction of aggregate productivity growth during periods of fast GDP growth. Studies of other countries confirm this empirical relationship. To analyze this relationship, we develop a simple model of firm entry and exit based on Hopenhayn (1992) in which there are analytical expressions for the FHK decomposition. When we introduce reforms that reduce entry costs or reduce barriers to technology adoption into a calibrated model, we find that the entry and exit terms in the FHK decomposition become more important as GDP grows rapidly, just as they do in the data from Chile and Korea.

Spatiotemporal distribution and growth pattern of Venus nux (Gmelin, 1791) in the Gulf of Cádiz (Southern Spain)

Spatiotemporal distribution and growth pattern of Venus nux (Gmelin, 1791) in the Gulf of Cádiz (Southern Spain)

Research on morphological characteristics change of quercetin and polyphenols of accumulation dynamic of spines of Gleditsia sinensis

To study morphological characteristics change of the development process and quercetin and polyphenols of accumulation dynamic of the spines of Gleditsia sinensis, measure and compare morphological indexes using Vernier caliper, ruler and balance, calibrate and analysis quercetin and polyphenols content using HPLC and colorimetric method. The spines of G. sinensis development process is divided into formation period (the beginning of August to the beginning of November), dormant period (the beginning of November to the end of March in the following year), germination period (the end of March to the middle of April), fast growth period (the middle of April to the middle of August), browning period (the middle of August to the end of August) and mature period (the beginning of September to the end of December). Formation period the spines primordium divides and forms the scale bubs; dormant period the scale bubs are in a dormant state; germination period the bubs scales fall off, spines primordium began to development; fast growth period rapid growth to maximum; browning period browning from the tip and browns until the whole becomes brown; mature period The early stage of maturity is full of luster, gradually the color deepened and the luster faded. The accumulation of quercetin was gradually decreasing after increasing. The total polyphenol accumulation was significantly decreased and then gradually increased, decreased finally. The content of quercetin was increased from 0.000 4%-0.002 6%, and the polyphenol content decreased from 0.761 9%-0.049 1% and then slowly increased to 0.286 9% in the fast growth period.The quercetin continuous increase to 0.004 3% and total polyphenol increased to 0.421 6% in the browning period. In the mature period, the quercetin content significantly decreased after reaching 0.009 6% in September, and the polyphenols content decreased after reaching 0.723 5% in October. Using principal component analysis results: September first, October 2nd, November 3rd. The morphological characteristics change of the development process and quercetin and polyphenols accumulation were determined. The development process is divided into six periods, the best harvest time is the early stage of mature period. Provide theoretical support for the utilization of the spines of G. sinensis and cultivation techniques of high yield.

Multi-Step Inflation Prediction with Functional Coefficient Autoregressive Model

Forecasting inflation rate is one of the most important topics in finance and economics. In recent years, China has stepped into a “New Normal” stage of economic development, with a different state from the fast growth period during the past few decades. Hence, forecasting the inflation rate of China with a time-varying model may give high accuracy. In this paper, we investigate the problem of forecasting the inflation rate with a functional coefficient autoregressive (FAR) model, which allows the coefficient to change over time. We compare the FAR model based on the B-splines estimation method with the autoregressive moving average (ARMA) model by extensive simulation studies. In addition, with the monthly CPI data of China, we conduct both in-sample analysis and out-of-sample forecasting. The forecasting result shows that the FAR model based on the B-splines estimation method has a better performance than the ARMA model.

Game changers

How are the different generations changing the industry in APAC where market research is maturing after a period of fast growth? We asked members of the Programme Committee for ESOMAR's upcoming Asia Pacific Conference which takes place in Bangkok about the most recent entrants to the research profession.

Chlorophyll fluorescence characteristics of Phyllostachys edulis during its fast growth period

To explore chlorophyll fluorescence characteristics of a Phyllostachys edulis blade during its fast growth period (early, middle, and late phases), parameters concerning chlorophyll fluorescence of a Ph. edulis blade were measured using PAM-2100 chlorophyll fluorescence spectrometer during its fast growth period of the Bamboo Physiological and Ecological Monitoring Station of Zhejiang A & F University, also comprehensive evaluation of its fluorescence characteristics was then conducted. The results showed that the actual photochemical quantum yield of Photosystem Ⅱ (PS-Ⅱ), the maximal photochemical efficiency of PS-Ⅱ (Fv/Fm), and the potential PS-Ⅱ activity for same-aged Ph. edulis samples had significant differences within different stages of the rapid growth period (P < 0.05) going from a lower level to a higher level for the early phase, the middle phase, and the latter phase. Variation in the Fv/Fm ratio was 0.672-0.773 and in the Fv /Fo ratio was 2.068-3.231. During the fast grwoth period, the value of Non-photochemical Quenching(qNP) in the order: middle phase < late phase < early phase. The qNP value also showed strong daily variation during different phases of the fast growth period. Chlorophyll fluorescence parameters of bamboo blade show significant changes during its fast growth period. Thus, as indicated by the comprehensive comparison, photosynthesis of the Ph. edulis blade showed an increasing tendency during its rapid growth.

Investigation of the Mechanical Properties of Flax Cell Walls during Plant Development: The Relation between Performance and Cell Wall Structure

The development of flax (Linum usitatissimum L.) fibers was studied to obtain better insight on the progression of their high mechanical performances during plant growth. Fibers at two steps of plant development were studied, namely the end of the fast growth period and at plant maturity, each time at three plant heights. The indentation modulus of the fiber cell wall was characterized by atomic force microscopy (AFM) using peak-force quantitative nano-mechanical property mapping (PF-QNM). Changes in the cell wall modulus with the cell wall thickening were highlighted. For growing plants, fibers from top and middle heights show a loose inner Gn layer with a lower indentation modulus than mature fibers, which exhibit thickened homogeneous cell walls made only of a G layer. The influence of these changes in the fiber cell wall on the mechanical performances of extracted elementary fibers was also emphasized by tensile tests. In addition, Raman spectra were recorded on samples from both growing and mature plants. The results suggest that, for the fiber cell wall, the cellulose contribution increases with fiber maturity, leading to a greater cell wall modulus of flax fibers.

The Life Cycle of Cities

While an ever-growing percentage of the world’s population is urban, the rate at which cities grow is not uniform. The lifetime of individual cities includes periods of fast growth, slow growth and periods of shrinkage. There exists an extensive literature concerned with possible means to manage specific pathologies. It is our view that the design of specific policies should be the result of a comprehensive model of urban health. While not all cities go through the entire life cycle, a comprehensive theory of cities and specific policies need to include specification of the interaction of the various forces that shape the entire range of urban patterns and identification of specific combinations of values that create phase transitions among these patterns. To sort these ideas we suggest that there is a need to consider and incorporate the structure and timing of innovation activities, agglomeration effects that they generate, interurban migration patterns and assorted feedback mechanisms. We hypothesize that these flows depend on the activity rhythms of the various processes and their differential impact on cities. We present a biology inspired rudimentary framework as a basis for the construction of an ABM of cities with a focus on the nature of time and as a basis for analyzing urban dynamics.

Precision of age estimations from otolith, vertebra, and opercular bone of Gymnocypris firmispinatus (Actinopterygii: Cypriniformes: Cyprinidae) in the Anning River, China

Background. Gymnocypris firmispinatus Wu et Wu, 1988 is a small fish with the maximum total length of 242 mm, which occurs only in the Jinsha River and its tributaries (China), at altitudes above 2000 m. Nowadays, G. firmispinatus had been placed in a dangerous situation, due to hydropower station and excessive fishing. However, attempts to develop an effective population management strategy have been obstructed by lack of basic biological information, especially for age estimation. As we known, sectioned otoliths provide the most precise age estimates of many Schizothoracinae fishes, vertebrae and opercular bones were also used for age determination of some fish species. This work aimed to assess the suitability of three calcified structures (otolith, vertebra, and opercular bone) for age estimation of G. firmispinatus. Materials and methods. The annulus characteristics of otolith, vertebra, and opercular bone were described. Annual periodicity was verified by marginal increment ratio (MIR) analysis in otoliths and edge analysis in vertebrae and opercular bones. Otoliths, vertebrae, and opercular bones were examined to determine which structure produced the most precise and accurate age estimates in G. firmispinatus, mainly by scoring for readability on a five-point scale and calculating the index of the mean percentage error (IMPE). Results. Microscopically, otoliths and vertebrae showed a typical pattern of opaque-and translucent-zones, attributed to slow and fast growth periods. Annuli formed between March and May once a year in otoliths and vertebrae. Forty-four percent of the opercular bones were scored as unreadable. The value of IMPE between the two counts was lowest for otoliths (4.25%), followed by vertebrae (6.21%) and opercular bones (11.58%). The IMPE value of vertebra vs. otolith was 11.05%, while that of opercular bone vs. otolith was 23.03%. Vertebrae and otoliths matched closely only for the first 4 years of life, while opercular bones appeared to underestimate the age of G. firmispinatus. Conclusion. Annuli in the otoliths and vertebrae both formed once a year up to age 8, and otoliths would be the most precise structure for age determination in G. firmispinatus. Vertebrae and otoliths matched closely up to age 4, while opercular bones could not be used for age estimation for the species.

European outbound tourism in times of economic stagnation

Accounting for the instability of tourism income elasticities in the European Union-15 since 2004, estimations show that income elasticities in the period 2004–2014 were greater in slow-growth periods (above 1) than in fast-growth periods (below 1). Due to the gradual deterioration of the economic environment since 2004, the small income improvements in the fast-growth periods were used relatively more for satisfying pent-up demand for necessary consumer goods or precautionary savings than for traveling abroad. The relatively high income elasticities in the slow-growth periods resulted from negative adjustments due to the effects of the economic downturn.

Difference between Burley Tobacco and Flue-Cured Tobacco in Nitrate Accumulation and Chemical Regulation of Nitrate and TSNA Contents

Tobacco-specific nitrosamines (TSNAs) are harmful carcinogens, with nitrate as a precursor of their formation. Nitrate content is considerably higher in burley tobacco than in flue-cured tobacco, but little has been reported on the differences between types of nitrate accumulation during development. We explored nitrate accumulation prior to harvest and examined the effects of regulatory substances aimed at decreasing nitrate and TSNA accumulation. In growth experiments, nitrate accumulation in burley and flue-cured tobacco initially increased but then declined with the highest nitrate content observed during a fast-growth period. When treating tobacco crops with molybdenum (Mo) during fast growth, nitrate reductase activity in burley tobacco increased significantly, but the NO3-N content decreased. These treatments also yielded significant reductions in NO3-N and TSNA contents. Therefore, we suggest that treatment with Mo during the fast-growth period and a Mo-Gfo (Mo-glufosinate) combination at the maturity stage is an effective strategy for decreasing nitrate and TSNAs during cultivation.

The Growth of Mugil cephalus, Patinopecten yessoensis and Saccharina japonica in the IMTA System

In this study, we investigated the growth of striped mullet (Mugil cephalus), Yesso scallop (Patinopecten yessoensis) and kelp (Saccharina japonica) farmed under the IMTA (integrated multi-trophic aquaculture) system developed by national institute of fisheries science (NIFS). The farmed striped mullets grew from an initial length and weight of 152.5±12.1 mm and 41.6±7.8 g in October 2013 to 154.2±5.6 mm and 47.5±8.6 g in November, 160.2±8.7 mm and 55.9±9.1 g in December and 168.4±9.6 mm and 58.4±8.7 g in January. The fish continued to grow and reached 190.2±9.4 mm in length and 87.5±8.9 g in weight in April and 256.4±9.7 mm and 156.7±6.7 g in October 2014. The daily growth rate (DGR) for total fish length was 0.015~0.1 mm/day during the periods of fast growth and attained 0.038~0.1 mm /day during February~March. The kelp grew from an initial blade length and wet weight of 1.19±0.2cm and 0.0028±0.0012 g in January 2014 to 3.3±0.8 cm and 2.5±0.9 g in February and 126.5±11.6 cm and 107.4±22.6 g in March, after which, erosion occurred and slowed the growth. The DGRs for kelp length ranged 0.03 1.9 mm /day in January 2014 and increased to 0.88~1.9 mm /day during March~April. Increasing water temperatures beginning in April lowered the DGR to 0.03 mm /day. Yesso scallops grew from an initial shell length, shell height and wet weight of 11.83±0.6 mm, 12.68±0.7 mm and in September 2013 to 19.9±2.5 mm, 20.8±2.6 mm and 0.9±0.04 g in November 2013. They continued to grow to 45.91±0.71 mm in shell length, 42.55±0.8 mm in shell height and 12.7±1.3 g in wet weight by May 2014 and 60.2±2.51 mm, 554.6±2.61 mm and 24±2.70 g by October 2014. The DGRs for shell length of Yesso scallop ranged from 0.02 to 0.256 mm/day with higher values of 0.256~0.27 mm/day during November December 2013 and March~April 2014.

The life cycle of cities

While an ever-growing percentage of the world's population is urban, the rate at which cities grow is not uniform. The lifetime of individual cities includes periods of fast growth, slow growth and periods of shrinkage. There exists an extensive literature concerned with possible means to manage specific pathologies. It is our view that the design of specific policies should be the result of a comprehensive model of urban health. While not all cities go through the entire life cycle, a comprehensive theory of cities and specific policies need to include specification of the interaction of the various forces that shape the entire range of urban patterns and identification of specific combinations of values that create phase transitions among these patterns.To sort these ideas we suggest that there is a need to consider and incorporate the structure and timing of innovation activities, agglomeration effects that they generate, interurban migration patterns and assorted feedback mechanisms. We hypothesize that these flows depend on the activity rhythms of the various processes and their differential impact on cities. We present a biology inspired rudimentary framework as a basis for the construction of an ABM of cities with a focus on the nature of time and as a basis for analyzing urban dynamics.1

Admiring the peaceful political transition in Taiwan

Purpose Given the recent peaceful turnover of power through a highly participatory democratic election, now is a good time to consider Taiwan and its political development. Design/methodology/approach The author reviews how, over two decades Taiwan has undergone a remarkably peaceful transition from what was essentially an authoritarian, one-party dictatorship by the KMT to a vibrant multiparty democracy, a sharp contrast to what has occurred during the same period in China. Findings When the traditional ruling party of a country–like the Kuomintang in Taiwan– finds itself completely out of power and wandering in the wilderness, yet still manages to conduct itself with grace and dignity, and in so doing, allows the country to prosper – that affirms the stability and progressive potential of the country’s politics. Practical implications Not only has Taiwan’s economy seen a sustained period of fast growth over multiple decades, but the economy has grown without seeing a substantial uptick in economic inequality, a feat many developed nations have failed to achieve. Originality/value Taiwan’s two decades of political stability makes is an attractive commercial partner.