Typical Populations Research Articles

Pelargonium pseudosetulosum (Geraniaceae), a new species in sect. Pelargonium from the Kogelberg-Kleinmond area in Western Cape Province, South Africa

Populations of plants from around Kleinmond in the Western Cape Province (South Africa), previously identified as Pelargonium setulosum, differ from typical populations of that species in ecology, distribution, and morphologically in the shape of the nectar guides, and appear to constitute a separate species. Field work was done, specimens were collected in the field, and material from four different herbaria were studied to record morphological variation. The Kleinmond populations previously included in P. setulosum are described as the new species P. pseudosetulosum. Morphological, ecological, and geographical evidence indicate that this species forms part of Pelargonium subg. Pelargonium sect. Pelargonium.

Interpersonal Affective Touch in a Virtual World: Feeling the Social Presence of Others to Overcome Loneliness.

Humans are by nature social beings tuned to communicate and interact from the very beginning of their lives. The sense of touch represents the most direct and intimate channel of communication and a powerful means of connection between the self and the others. In our digital age, the development and diffusion of internet-based technologies and virtual environments offer new opportunities of communication overcoming physical distance. It however, happens that social interactions are often mediated, and the tactile aspects of communication are overlooked, thus diminishing the feeling of social presence, which may contribute to an increased sense of social disconnection and loneliness. The current manuscript aims to review the extant literature about the socio-affective dimension of touch and current advancements in interactive virtual environments in order to provide a new perspective on multisensory virtual communication. Specifically, we suggest that interpersonal affective touch might critically impact virtual social exchanges, promoting a sense of co-presence and social connection between individuals, possibly overcoming feelings of sensory loneliness. This topic of investigation will be of crucial relevance from a theoretical perspective aiming to understand how we integrate multisensory signals in processing and making sense of interpersonal exchanges, this is important in both typical and atypical populations. Moreover, it will pave the way to promising applications by exploring the possibility to use technical innovations to communicate more interactively in the case of people who suffer from social isolation and disconnection from others.

清澜港红树林湿地典型群落类型沉积物活性有机碳组分分布特征

PDF HTML阅读 XML下载 导出引用 引用提醒 清澜港红树林湿地典型群落类型沉积物活性有机碳组分分布特征 DOI: 10.5846/stxb202105081203 作者: 作者单位: 作者简介: 通讯作者: 中图分类号: 基金项目: 省属科研院所技术创新专项项目（jscx202023）；海南省科研院所技术创新专项基础性科研工作（jcxk202003） Distribution characteristics of active organic carbon components in sediments of typical community types of mangrove wetland in Qinglan Port Author: Affiliation: Fund Project: 摘要 | 图/表 | 访问统计 | 参考文献 | 相似文献 | 引证文献 | 资源附件 | 文章评论 摘要:滩涂海岸红树林生态系统通常具有较高的土壤养分，尤其是沉积物有机碳含量。海南岛红树林种类丰富且生长较好，通过对红树林沉积物有机碳组分的基础研究有利于提高对红树林湿地固碳能力的评估精度，加深对海洋蓝碳的认识。以清澜港红树林5种典型群落类型为对象，比较分析表层土壤（0-10 cm）总有机碳（TOC）、微生物生物量碳（MBC）、易氧化有机碳（EOC）、可溶性有机碳（DOC）含量差异及其与土壤因子之间的相关性。结果表明：（1）不同群落类型间，土壤TOC、MBC、DOC和EOC含量均值分别为66.76 g/kg、177.08 mg/kg、25.49 mg/kg和2.34 g/kg。对比发现，土壤TOC在角果木群落中含量最高，但各群落间无显著差异；土壤MBC在不同群落间存在显著差异，其中角果木群落和杯萼海桑群落显著高于榄李群落；土壤DOC在不同群落间存在显著差异，其中海莲群落和角果木群落显著高于其余群落；土壤EOC在不同群落间存在显著差异，其中角果木群落显著高于海莲群落和正红树群落。（2）活性有机碳各个组分占总有机碳的比例均值大小依次为EOC>MBC>DOC。土壤EOC、MBC、DOC的分配比例分别介于3.23%-4.02%、0.22%-0.36%、0.02%-0.08%之间。（3）冗余分析表明，土壤TN对土壤有机碳组分含量的单独解释率最高。土壤pH在土壤的单独解释率最低，其对土壤有机碳组分含量影响较小。（4）土壤TOC、MBC、DOC、EOC与土壤TN、含水量（SWC）呈极显著正相关。综上所述，潮位以及不同群系类型引起的土壤理化性质共同影响着土壤活性有机碳组分的浓度。 Abstract:Mangrove ecosystems in tidal flats usually contain a large proportion of soil nutrients, especially organic carbon content in sediments. The basic research on organic carbon components of the sediments in the large variety of luxuriant mangrove forests in Hainan Island can help more accurately evaluate the carbon sequestration capacity of mangrove wetlands and improve the knowledge about marine blue carbon. This paper comparatively analyzes the different contents of total organic carbon (TOC), microbial biomass carbon (MBC), easily oxidized organic carbon (EOC), and dissolved organic carbon (DOC) in the topsoil (0-10 cm) in five typical populations of mangrove in Qinglan Port and their correlation with soil factors. The result shows that (1) the average contents of TOC, MBC, DOC and EOC in the surface soils in different populations of mangrove are 66.76 g/kg, 177.08 mg/kg, 25.49 mg/kg, and 2.34 g/kg, respectively. According to the comparative analysis, the content of TOC is the highest in the soil in the Ceriops tagal community, but it is not significantly different among all the communities;The content of MBC in the soil is significantly different among all flora communities, where the content of MBC in the soil in Ceriops tagal community and Sonneratia alba community is much higher than that in Lumnitzera racemosa community. The content of DOC in the soil in all communities is significantly different, where the content of DOC in the soil in Bruguiera sexangula community and Ceriops tagal community is much higher than that in other communities. The content of EOC in the soil in all communities is significantly different, where the content of EOC in the soil in Ceriops tagal community is much higher than that in Bruguiera sexangula community and Rhizophora Apiculata community. (2) The average ratio of active organic carbon components to total organic carbon in MBC is higher than in DOC, and that in EOC is the highest. The distribution ratios of EOC, MBC and DOC in soil are between 3.23% and 4.02%, 0.22% and 0.36%, and 0.02% and 0.08% respectively. (3) Redundancy analysis shows that total nitrogen (TN) in soil is more justified to exclusively prove organic carbon components in the soil. Soil pH is less justified to exclusively prove the organic carbon component in the soil. (4) TOC, MBC, DOC and EOC in soil are positively correlated with soil TN and soil water content (SWC). In conclusion, tidal level soil physical and chemical properties caused by different biotic communities jointly affect the concentration of soil active organic carbon components. 参考文献 相似文献 引证文献

Orthostatic Hypotension and Antiparkinsonian Drugs: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

BackgroundOrthostatic hypotension (OH) is multifactorial in Parkinson’s disease (PD). Antiparkinsonian medication can contribute to OH, leading to increased risk of falls, weakness and fatigue.MethodsWe conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials (RCTs) of antiparkinsonian drugs associated with OH as an adverse effect, compared to placebo. We searched EMBASE, MEDLINE and Web of Science databases until November 2020. Analysis used fixed-effects models and the GRADE tool to rate quality of evidence. Meta-analysis was performed if 3 or more studies of a drug group were available.ResultsTwenty-one RCTs including 3783 patients were included comparing 6 PD drug groups to placebo (MAO-B inhibitors, dopamine agonists, levodopa, COMT inhibitors, levodopa and adenosine receptor antagonists). OH was recorded as an adverse event or measurement of vital signs, without further specification on how this was defined or operationalised. Meta-analysis was performed for MAO-B inhibitors and dopamine agonists, as there were 3 or more studies for these drug groups. In this analysis, compared with placebo, neither MAO-B inhibitors or dopamine agonists were associated with increased risk of OH, (OR 2.28 [95% CI:0.81–6.46]), (OR 1.39 [95% CI:0.97–1.98]).ConclusionsMost studies did not specifically report OH, or reporting of OH was limited, including how and when it was measured. Furthermore, studies specifically reporting OH included participants that were younger than typical PD populations without multimorbidity. Future trials should address this, for example,, by including individuals over the age of 75, to improve estimations of how antiparkinsonian medications affect risk of OH.

Two new species of Miconia s.lat. (Melastomataceae) from Espírito Santo, Brazil

We here describe two new species endemic to the state of Espírito Santo, Brazil, that belong to different clades within Miconia s.lat. Miconia quartzicola is presumably part of the Leandra s.str. clade, as indicated by its terminal inflorescences and petals with an acute apex. It has been collected only once in the municipality of Vargem Alta in disturbed vegetation on loose quartzitic substrate (‘morros de sal'). Miconia spiritusanctensis belongs to Miconia sect. Cremanium, as indicated by its small white and obovate anthers with four apical pores. The latter encompasses populations previously identified as M. hirtella that are morphologically, geographically and climatically segregated from typical populations of the species from more dry and inland regions of Brazil. In addition to the descriptions of the new species, we present comments, conservation status and plates for both, as well as climatic modelling analyses on the populations of M. spiritusanctensis and M. hirtella. We recommend that Miconia quartzicola and M. spiritusanctensis should both be considered as threatened, ‘critically endangered' and ‘endangered', respectively, according to the IUCN extinction risk criteria.

Is distyly in subtropical Psychotria brachyceras (Rubiaceae) similar to the general trends observed for the genus?

Distyly is a floral polymorphism that promotes cross-pollination through precise pollination. Psychotria is a mostly tropical genus of distylous Rubiaceae. Although widely studied in Brazil, some regions/species are still poorly explored, which hinders the understanding of distyly system along a greater geographical range. Here, we studied a subtropical population of Psychotria brachyceras in southern Brazil. For this, we characterized morphs occurrence, reciprocity of sexual structures, mating and incompatibility systems. In addition, we compared the reciprocity values from other species of the genus based on values gathered from literature to understand how the population behaves. The population showed equal proportions of thrum (short stigma/high anthers) and pin (high stigma/short anthers) morphs. Reciprocity was higher than the average for the genus and inaccuracy values between sexual organs were evenly distributed between the organ types, indicating a trend to typical distyly. Higher fruit set rates in intermorph and open pollination treatments and pollen tube growth observations confirmed that the population has a functional heteromorphic incompatibility system. Psychotria brachyceras showed no signs of distinct traits to typical distylous populations, which seems to ensure reproductive success and distyly maintenance.

The Aging Incarcerated Population: Evaluating Two Decades of Upward Trends

The aging prison population encompasses the fastest rising age category in the US prison system and are continuing to receive national focus due to its high economic and social costs. Due to their confinement status, the aging incarcerated individuals are subject to insufficient health care and risky lifestyles and behaviors. This leads to an even more rapid progression of these concerns than commonly found in typical aging populations. Due to this, correctional departments are challenged to provide the necessary care and support. This study reviewed snapshots of 1998, 2008, and 2018 incarcerated population data from a mid-sized correctional department in efforts to evaluate the trends of the aging incarcerated population (ages 55 or older) over the past two decades. The findings highlight: a) The prevalence of the aging incarcerated population and the change in populations over the past two decades; b) The similarities and differences between the aging and non-aging incarcerated populations; c) The factors that distinguish the 1998, 2008, and 2018 aging incarcerated population; and d) The recidivism and violation rates of the 1998, 2008, and 2018 incarcerated population. This endeavor helped gain insight and knowledge into the impact of the aging incarcerated population. Studies like this one benefit in providing consideration to policy changes focusing on the geriatric population, attention to the aging population’s physical and mental health, and evaluation of new programs that can positively impact the aging incarcerated population.

Acquisition of cognitive and communication milestones in infants with Down syndrome.

Understanding the timing of developmental milestones in typical and clinical populations facilitates intervention planning and the early detection of risk for co-occurring conditions. Normative timing of developmental milestone achievement has been established for typically developing children. However, there is little information regarding the timing of cognitive and communication skill acquisition in young children with Down syndrome (DS). The objectives of this study are to (1) provide foundational information regarding the timing of cognitive and communication skill acquisition in infants with DS and (2) facilitate the early identification of infants with risk for co-occurring conditions. Seventy-four infants with DS (age range: 4-18months) completed the Bayley Scales of Infant Development-III (Bayley 2006). Individual items from the cognitive and communication scales were selected for analysis. Parents provided information regarding their infant's developmental and family history. The percentage of infants who attained each skill was calculated within 2-month age bands. For infants who did not show skill acquisition within each age band, the rates of prematurity, heart defects, corrective heart surgery and significant illness were calculated as well. This study provides foundational information that can contribute to the formulation of a developmental schedule for cognitive and language milestone acquisition in infants with DS.

A review of Tabellaria species from freshwater environments in Europe

The diatom genus Tabellaria Ehrenberg is one of the most widely distributed genera in freshwaters, both in benthos and phytoplankton. It is rather frequent in unpolluted, circumneutral to slightly acidic and poorly mineralized lakes, streams and peat bogs. Despite being studied intensively in the last decades, the taxonomy of this genus is still unsatisfactory as some authors recently proposed to consider most species as synonyms of Tabellaria flocculosa (Roth) KĂźtzing. Several dozen of Tabellaria rich samples from Europe were investigated and six were selected to illustrate typical populations. Five new species are described based on detailed LM and SEM observations: Tabellaria acidodelicata sp. nov., Tabellaria hercynica sp. nov., Tabellaria koppeniana sp. nov., Tabellaria procera sp. nov. and Tabellaria valdeventricosa sp. nov. Additionally, the type materials of T. fenestrata, T. flocculosa and T. ventricosa have been investigated and illustrated together with a discussion on Tabellaria andina stat. nov., at present exclusively found in South America.

Diagnosis of Pneumonia Due to Invasive Molds.

Pneumonia is the most common presentation of invasive mold infections (IMIs), and is pathogenetically characterized as angioinvasion by hyphae, resulting in tissue infarction and necrosis. Aspergillus species are the typical etiologic cause of mold pneumonia, with A. fumigatus in most cases, followed by the Mucorales species. Typical populations at risk include hematologic cancer patients on chemotherapy, bone marrow and solid organ transplant patients, and patients on immunosuppressive medications. Invasive lung disease due to molds is challenging to definitively diagnose based on clinical features and imaging findings alone, as these methods are nonspecific. Etiologic laboratory testing is limited to insensitive culture techniques, non-specific and not readily available PCR, and tissue biopsies, which are often difficult to obtain and impact on the clinical fragility of patients. Microbiologic/mycologic analysis has limited sensitivity and may not be sufficiently timely to be actionable. Due to the inadequacy of current diagnostics, clinicians should consider a combination of diagnostic modalities to prevent morbidity in patients with mold pneumonia. Diagnosis of IMIs requires improvement, and the availability of noninvasive methods such as fungal biomarkers, microbial cell-free DNA sequencing, and metabolomics-breath testing could represent a new era of timely diagnosis and early treatment of mold pneumonia.

Nuclear heterogeneity is prevalent in high-quality fractionated human sperm cells typically used for assisted conception.

What is the nuclear heterogeneity of high-density purified human spermatozoa typically used for IVF purposes. The data show that while density gradient separation has improved the overall sperm population, there is still a large degree of nuclear heterogeneity within these cells. Chromomycin A3 (CMA3) is an important DNA binding fluorochrome for the assessment of male-factor fertility. It is typically used to predict IVF outcomes on entire sperm ejaculates with very high receiver operating characteristic. Here we used CMA3 to characterise typical populations of human spermatozoa that would be used for IVF purposes after density gradient separation. We compared the intensity of CMA3 binding within high-dense sperm populations obtained from men. Binding heterogeneity was confirmed through fluorescence microscopy and FACS analysis independently. We also looked at CMA3 staining directly with head morphology in this sperm population. Finally, we looked at electron micrographs of nuclear heterogeneity (vacuoles, chromatin compaction) of spermatozoa following density gradient sorting of CMA3-stained cells. We used sperm donors who had fathered one or more children. Semen was collected after 2 days abstinence and purified over Percoll gradients. Only the high-quality spermatozoa, the same used for assisted conception, were then used. Cells were stained with CMA3 and sorted using FACS. Following this, electron micrographs were used to assess nuclear heterogeneity of CMA3-dependent sorted spermatozoa. CMA3 staining occurs within morphologically normal as well as abnormal spermatozoa. High-intensity CMA3-stained sperm possessed large vacuoles that were not seen in the low-CMA3 population. In addition, the high-CMA3 stained cells possess higher amounts of nuclear granulation. The present study only describes the issues within the chromatin of these cells and does not suggest an alternate selection technique. CMA3 is one of the better reported prognostic assays in predicting pregnancy outcomes, especially in cases where the male is at fault. However, it is clear that even in fractionated populations of human spermatozoa, there are sperm cells that are morphologically normal yet possess high levels of CMA3 staining and chromatin granulation. The implication of this is that the embryologist, whom selects on the basis of sperm morphology, may choose a cell with poor chromatin, which may lead to poor embryo outcomes. The project was funded by the National Health and Medical Research council, APP1118943. The authors have no conflict of interest to declare. N/A.

Sleep Dysregulation and Daytime Electrodermal Patterns in Children With Autism: A Descriptive Study

Sleep deficiency influences emotion and behavior regulation but the mechanisms of influence are poorly understood. Emotion, behavioral, and sleep theories highlight differences in autonomic function as a potential pathway of influence and research in typical populations draw links between sleep deficiency and autonomic dysregulation (e.g., elevated reactivity within the sympathetic nervous system). In populations at elevated risk for sleep deficiency/problems (i.e., individuals with autism), greater variability in sleep and autonomic/arousal profiles may be particularly informative. Using electrodermal activity (EDA) as an indicator of sympathetic nervous system activation, this descriptive pilot study aimed to document daytime EDA patterns in children with autism and to explore their relations with sleep dysregulation/deficiency. EDA and sleep were measured using ankle and wrist worn sensors in 13 children (Meanage 6.11 years). EDA indices included nonspecific skin conductance responses (NSSCR) and tonic skin conductance levels (SCL). Descriptively, children in the dysregulated sleep group had fewer NSSCRs and lower SCL in the afternoon. This blunted physiological arousal profile/pattern is consistent with previous research, but this is the first study to explore how sleep may be linked. Notably, this pattern may not reflect sleep but an overall dysregulation profile which in this sample included: dysregulated sleep, a blunted afternoon arousal profile, and elevated ASD symptom severity. Replication with larger, more diverse samples is needed to disentangle the complex relations among sleep, arousal, and ASD behavioral features. However, this study represents an important first step in documenting extended daytime arousal patterns.

T1-Weighted/T2-Weighted Ratio Mapping at 5Months Captures Individual Differences in Behavioral Development and Differentiates Infants at Familial Risk for Autism from Controls.

Identifying structural measures that capture early brain development and are sensitive to individual differences in behavior is a priority in developmental neuroscience, with potential implications for our understanding of both typical and atypical populations. T1-weighted/T2-weighted (T1w/T2w) ratio mapping, which previously has been linked to myelination, represents an interesting candidate measure in this respect, as an accessible measure from standard magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) sequences. Yet, its value as an early infancy measure remains largely unexplored. Here, we compared T1w/T2w ratio in 5-month-old infants at familial risk (n = 27) for autism spectrum disorder (ASD) to those without elevated autism risk (n = 16). We found lower T1w/T2w ratio in infants at high risk for ASD within widely distributed regions, spanning both white and gray matter. In regions differing between groups, higher T1w/T2w ratio was robustly associated with higher age at scan (range: ~ 4–6.5 months), implying sensitivity to maturation at short developmental timescales. Further, higher T1w/T2w ratio within these regions was associated with higher scores on measures of concurrent developmental level. These findings suggest that T1w/T2w ratio is a developmentally sensitive measure that should be explored further in future studies of both typical and atypical infant populations.

No evidence for a core deficit in developmental dyscalculia or mathematical learning disabilities.

Two hypotheses were tested regarding the characteristics of children with mathematical learning disabilities (MLD): (a) that children with MLD would have a 'core deficit' in basic number processing skills; and (b) that children with MLD would be at the end of a developmental continuum and have impairments in many cognitive skills. From a large sample (N=1,303) of typically developing children, we selected a group definable as having MLD. The children were given measures of basic number processing and domain-general constructs. Differences between the observed sample and a simulated population were estimated using Cohen's d and Bayes factors. Receiver operating characteristic curves were plotted, and the area under the curve was computed to ascertain the diagnostic power of measures. Results suggest that the differences between the MLD and control group can be defined along with general characteristics of the population rather than assuming single or multiple 'core deficits'. None of the measures of interest exceeded the diagnostic power that could be derived via simulation from the dimensional characteristics of the general population. There is no evidence for core deficit(s) in MLD. We suggest that future research should focus on representative samples of typical populations and on carefully tested clinical samples confirming to the criteria of international diagnostic manuals. Clinical diagnoses require that MLD is persistent and resistant to intervention, so studies would deliver results less exposed to measurement fluctuations. Uniform diagnostic criteria would also allow for the easy cross-study comparison of samples overcoming a serious limitation of the current literature.

Quadrature as applied to computer models for robust design: theoretical and empirical assessment

Abstract This paper develops theoretical foundations for extending Gauss–Hermite quadrature to robust design with computer experiments. When the proposed method is applied with m noise variables, the method requires 4m + 1 function evaluations. For situations in which the polynomial response is separable, this paper proves that the method gives exact transmitted variance if the response is a fourth-order separable polynomial response. It is also proven that the relative error mean and variance of the method decrease with the dimensionality m if the response is separable. To further assess the proposed method, a probability model based on the effect hierarchy principle is used to generate sets of polynomial response functions. For typical populations of problems, it is shown that the proposed method has less than 5% error in 90% of cases. Simulations of five engineering systems were developed and, given parametric alternatives within each case study, a total of 12 case studies were conducted. A comparison is made between the cumulative density function for the hierarchical probability models and a corresponding distribution function for case studies. The data from the case-based evaluations are generally consistent with the results from the model-based evaluation.

Modeling and Visualizing the Codevelopment of Word and Nonword Reading in Children From First Through Fourth Grade: Informing Developmental Trajectories of Children With Dyslexia

Developmental studies examining relations between word reading (WR) and decoding in typical and dyslexic populations routinely cut the reading distribution to form distinct groups. However, dichotomizing continuous variables to study development is problematic for multiple reasons. Instead, we modeled and visualized the parallel growth of WR and nonword reading (NWR) factor scores longitudinally in a Grade 1-4 developmental sample (N=588). The results indicate that while WR and NWR growth factors are highly related (r=.71), the relation between WR and NWR trajectories change as a function of initial WR. Results are interpreted within computational models of dyslexia in which children with dyslexia overfit orthography→phonology relations at the level of the word, limiting the development of sublexical representations needed to read nonwords.

Integrative taxonomy of Meloidogyne graminicola populations with different esterase phenotypes parasitising rice in Brazil

Summary The rice root-knot nematode, Meloidogyne graminicola, has been reported in Southeast Asia, China, India, South Africa, USA, Brazil, and other countries. Recent surveys in Southern Brazil showed that M. graminicola was widespread in irrigated rice in Rio Grande do Sul, Santa Catarina and Paraná states, and the presence of a species complex with a predominance of M. graminicola (Est VS1 = G1) and other variants showing similar esterase phenotypes (Est G2 = R2, G3 = R3). Meloidogyne oryzae (Est O1) and M. ottersoni (Est Ot0) were also part of this complex and were recently re-described and detected on rice. The present study provides an integrative taxonomy approach of the typical and atypical populations of M. graminicola on the basis of morphological, morphometric and molecular data. Considering morphological and morphometric features, the two atypical populations (Est G2 and G3) are in close agreement with the description of M. graminicola. Based on the molecular characterisation, populations G1, G2 and G3 were successfully amplified by M. graminicola SCAR markers, although the specificity of these markers was questioned. Phylogenetic relationships complemented and confirmed the other studies. In maximum likelihood analysis of ITS, D2-D3 rRNA and COXII-16S rRNA sequences, all populations of M. graminicola from different esterase phenotypes clustered together with other M. graminicola populations, thus confirming that these enzyme phenotypes (G1, G2 and G3) are related to the same species. A high level of intraspecific variability was detected among all populations, but no correlation between genetic variability and geographic origins occurred.

H σχέση των συναισθημάτων με την εστιαζόμενη στον εαυτό προσοχή και την ρύθμιση της συμπεριφοράς

The present study has two aims: First it summarizes current theory and research on the association between self-consciousness/self-focused attention and different aspects of emotions in both typical and clinical populations. Second, it presents some new findings which address this association. As described in the literature, in the process of achieving one’s goals the individual compares oneself with standards and regulates one’s behavior, making behavioral adjustments or changing the goal in order to minimize the difference between one’s current status and one’s goals. During this self-evaluation process, which is an inherent part of self-regulation, attention is focused on the self and can be related to either positive or negative emotions depending on the subjective evaluation regarding the likelihood of achieving one’s goals. In psychopathology this process seems to dysfunction, so that the individual is trapped in a vicious cycle of negative emotion and increased self-focused attention/selfconsciousness. Research suggests that specific emotions, or their dimensions are associated with increased self-focused attention but it remains unclear which these dimensions are and how are related to psychopathology. Τhe findings we present attempt to separate the effects of the basic affective dimensions of valence, arousal and dominance on increased self-focused attention.

Low-dose Ultraviolet-A irradiation selectively eliminates nitrite oxidizing bacteria for mainstream nitritation

Nitritation is currently known as a bottleneck for mainstream nitrite shunt or partial nitritation/anammox (PN/A). Here we propose a new approach to selectively eliminate nitrite oxidizing bacteria (NOB) for mainstream nitritation by low-dose ultraviolet-A (UVA) irradiation. The results showed that mainstream nitritation was rapidly achieved within 10 days with UVA irradiation at the dose of 0.87 μE L−1 s−1, and nitrite accumulation ratio (NO2−-N/(NO2−-N + NO3−-N) ×100%) stabilized over 80%. Microbial community analysis revealed that two typical NOB populations (Nitrospira and Ca. Nitrotoga) detected in the control reactor were suppressed efficiently in UVA irradiation reactor, whereas the Nitrosomonas genus of ammonium oxidizing bacteria (AOB) remained at similar level. Intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) analysis indicated that NOB-dominant sludge tends to generate more intracellular ROS compared with AOB-dominant sludge in the presence of UVA, leading to the inactivation and elimination of NOB. Additionally, amounts of microalgae found in UVA irradiation reactor could help to suppress NOB by generating ROS during photosynthesis. Briefly, the UVA irradiation approach proposed in this study was shown to be promising in NOB suppression for reliable mainstream nitritation.

Genetic diversity of the complementary sex-determiner\xa0(csd) gene in two closed breeding stocks of Varroa -resistant\xa0honey bees

Honey bee (Apis mellifera) breeding programs that use a closed mating system are particularly vulnerable to low genetic diversity. Inadequate diversity at the complementary sex-determiner (csd) locus is problematic and potentially catastrophic in honey bee populations because it causes low brood viability. In typical commercial populations, queens are open mated and csd diversity is fostered by high rates of introgression. In this study, we examine genetic diversity within the highly variable region (HVR) of csd in two stocks bred for resistance to Varroa destructor: Pol-line and Hilo, both of which use closed mating systems. We sampled 47 Pol-line colonies and 41 Hilo colonies and found 60 protein alleles that were condensed into 35 allele groupings by sequence similarity. We found that proportionately, HVR diversity levels were comparable with those in other closed breeding populations as well as open-mated populations of A. mellifera worldwide. Distinct patterns are observed among Pol-line and Hilo csd protein alleles in both the phylogeny and allele frequency distributions, suggesting early divergence of the two stocks. When compared with an African outgroup, both stocks shared alleles with the outgroup, suggesting ancestral lineages are present and not all diversity is due to new mutations. Periodic monitoring of csd diversity is recommended for closed breeding programs. The csd diversity data reported here are currently being used to make breeding decisions in these two mite-resistant populations of honey bees.