Dramatic global decrease in the range and reproduction rate of the European hamster Cricetus cricetus

BACKGROUND Adopting non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) can affect COVID-19 growing trends, decrease the number of infected cases, and thus reduce mortality and healthcare demand. Almost all countries in the world have adopted non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) to control the spread rate of COVID-19; however, it is unclear what are differences in the effectiveness of NPIs among these countries. OBJECTIVE We hypothesize that COVID-19 case growth data reveals the efficacy of NPIs. In this study, we conduct a secondary analysis of COVID-19 case growth data to compare the differences in the effectiveness of NPIs among 16 representative countries in the world. METHODS This study leverages publicly available data to learn patterns of dynamic changes in the reproduction rate for sixteen countries covering Asia, Europe, North America, South America, Australia, and Africa. Furthermore, we model the relationships between the cumulative number of cases and the dynamic reproduction rate to characterize the effectiveness of the NPIs. We learn four levels of NPIs according to their effects in the control of COVID-19 growth and categorize the 16 countries into the corresponding groups. RESULTS The dynamic changes of the reproduction rate are learned via linear regression models for all of the studied countries, with the average adjusted R-squared at 0.96 and the 95% confidence interval as [0.94 0.98]. China, South Korea, Argentina, and Australia are at the first level of NPIs, which are the most effective. Japan and Egypt are at the second level of NPIs, and Italy, Germany, France, Netherlands, and Spain, are at the third level. The US and UK have the most inefficient NPIs, and they are at the fourth level of NPIs. CONCLUSIONS COVID-19 case growth data provides evidence to demonstrate the effectiveness of the NPIs. Understanding the differences in the efficacy of the NPIs among countries in the world can give guidance for emergent public health events. CLINICALTRIAL NA

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The replacement of generations in Serbia in the period 1950-2000

Stanovnistvo ◽

10.2298/stnv0104045p ◽

2001 ◽

Vol 39 (1-4) ◽

pp. 45-71 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Goran Penev

Keyword(s):

Birth Cohort ◽

20Th Century ◽

Regional Differences ◽

Cohort Analysis ◽

Reproduction Rate ◽

Demographic Analysis ◽

Period Analysis ◽

Net Reproduction

The article deals with the replacement of generations in Serbia, its dynamics in the second half of the 20th century, and the importance of direct determinants. It points to the major regional differences in the domain of the population reproduction among the large areas of Serbia (Central Serbia, Vojvodina, and Kosovo-Metohija). Two approaches of demographic analysis were applied: period and cohort analysis. Basic indicators, definitions, and shortcomings were presented. The results of the period analysis indicate that up until 1988 (with the exceptions of 1957 and 1981), the fertility in Serbia constantly reached a level of fertility necessary to ensure the replacement. Since 1989, the net reproduction rate has constantly been below unity. In Central Serbia and Vojvodina, the population has not been reproducing itself for more than 45 years (since 1956). The situation has been completely different in Kosovo-Metohija, where fertility has been above the level necessary to ensure reproduction during the entire second half of 20th century. The cohort analysis applied to six chosen generations (birth cohort of 1950, 1955, 1960, 1965, 1970, and 1975) indicates that in Serbia, only women born in 1960 ensured the replacement. In Central Serbia and Vojvodina, none of the studied generations succeeded in ensuring the replacement, while in Kosovo-Metohija all generations did.

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The Diagnosis and Therapy of Degenerative Knee Joint Disease: Expert Consensus from the Chinese Pain Medicine Panel

Pain Research and Management ◽

10.1155/2018/2010129 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 2018 ◽

pp. 1-14 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Dong Huang ◽

Yan-Qing Liu ◽

Li-Shuang Liang ◽

Xue-Wu Lin ◽

Tao Song ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Clinical Practice ◽

Diagnosis And Treatment ◽

Joint Disease ◽

Knee Joints ◽

Reproduction Rate ◽

Pain Specialist ◽

Chinese Association ◽

The One ◽

Almost All ◽

Based Medicine

At present, there are many constantly updated guidelines and consensuses on the diagnosis and treatment of osteoarthritis both at home and abroad. The recommendations established using methods of evidence-based medicine has experienced strict research on controlling bias and promoting reproduction rate. As a result, the previous evidence was reevaluated, and a lot of changes were provoked in the diagnosis and treatment concept of osteoarthritis. However, several methods not recommended by foreign guidelines are still in use in the current clinical practice in China. On the one hand, Chinese experts have not reached extensive consensus on whether it is necessary to make changes according to foreign guidelines. On the other hand, almost all the current relevant guidelines are on osteoarthritis, but the lesions around knee joints which, as a whole, bear the largest weight in human body, cannot be ignored. For this purpose, Chinese Association for the Study of Pain (CASP) organized some leading experts to formulate this Chinese Pain Specialist Consensus on the diagnosis and treatment of degenerative knee osteoarthritis (DKOA) in combination with the guidelines in foreign countries and the expert experience of clinical practice in China. The consensus, which includes the definition, pathophysiology, epidemiology, clinical manifestation, diagnostic criteria, and treatments of DKOA, is intended to be used by first-line doctors, including pain physicians to manage patients with DKOA.

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Phytochemical variability during vegetation of Chamerion angustifolium (L.) Holub genotypes derived from in vitro cultures

Plant Cell Tissue and Organ Culture (PCTOC) ◽

10.1007/s11240-021-02154-8 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Mariola Dreger ◽

Katarzyna Seidler-Łożykowska ◽

Milena Szalata ◽

Artur Adamczak ◽

Karolina Wielgus

Keyword(s):

High Performance Liquid Chromatography ◽

Liquid Chromatography ◽

High Performance ◽

Array Detector ◽

Reproduction Rate ◽

Full Spectrum ◽

Breeding Programs ◽

Chamerion Angustifolium ◽

Oenothein B

AbstractThe purpose of the study was to evaluate Chamerion angustifolium (L.) Holub genotypes for preliminary selection and further breeding programs aimed at obtaining a suitable industrial form for the pharmaceutical applications. Clonally propagated plants representing 10 genotypes of Ch. angustifolium were regenerated under in vitro conditions, hardened and planted in the field. Studies included an evaluation of shoot proliferation, phytochemical assessment of in vitro and ex vitro plants as well as investigations of intraspecies variability regarding four phenological stages: vegetative, beginning of blooming, full blooming, and green fruit phases. Quantitative and qualitative analyses of bioactive compounds were performed using high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with diode array detector and tandem mass spectrometer (HPLC–DAD–MS/MS) and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) methods. The efficiency of shoot multiplication varied between genotypes from 8.12 to 21.48 shoots per explant. A high reproduction rate (> 20 shoots per explant) was recorded for four lines (PL_45, PL_44, PL_58, DE_2). Plants grown in vitro synthesized oenothein B (11.2–22.3 mg g−1 DW) and caffeic acid derivatives. Plants harvested from field contained the full spectrum of polyphenols characteristic for this species, and oenothein B and quercetin 3-O-glucuronide were the most abundant. The maximal content of oenothein B was determined in the vegetative phase of fireweed, while some flavonoids were found in the highest amount in full blooming phase. The results of analysis of variance indicated significant differences among genotypes in oenothein B, 3-O-caffeoylquinic acid and flavonoids accumulation in four phenological phases. PL_44 plants were characterized by high content of oenothein B and quercetin 3-O-glucuronide as well as a relatively high level of other flavonoids. Based on our phytochemical and micropropagation studies, PL_44 genotype was the best candidate for early selection and further breeding programs.

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Production Performance of Moina macrocopa (Straus 1820) (Crustacea, Cladocera) Cultured in Different Salinities: The Effect on Growth, Survival, Reproduction, and Fatty Acid Composition of the Neonates

Diversity ◽

10.3390/d13030105 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (3) ◽

pp. 105

Author(s):

Amirah Yuslan ◽

Sharifah Najuwa ◽

Atsushi Hagiwara ◽

Mazlan A. Ghaffar ◽

Hidayu Suhaimi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Fatty Acid Composition ◽

Fatty Acid ◽

Acid Composition ◽

Acid Content ◽

Fatty Acid Content ◽

Production Performance ◽

Reproduction Rate ◽

Moina Macrocopa ◽

Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid Content ◽

Survival And Reproduction

Salinity is a known factor in shaping population dynamics and community structure through direct and indirect effects on aquatic ecosystems. Salinity changes further influence food webs through competition and predation. The responses of Moina macrocopa (Cladocera) collected from Setiu Wetland lagoon (Terengganu) was evaluated through manipulative laboratory experiments to understand the ability of M. macrocopa to tolerate high salinity stress. Specifically, the fatty acid composition, growth, survival, and reproduction of this cladocerans species was examined. Sodium chloride (NaCl) as used in the treatments water with the concentration 0, 4, 6, 8, 12, and 15 salinity. Fatty acid levels were determined using Gas Chromatography and Mass Spectrophotometry (GC-MS). The results indicated that optimal conditions produced the highest fatty acid content, especially the polyunsaturated fatty acid content, such as EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid), ALA (alpha-linoleic acid), ARA (arachidonic acid), and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid). Furthermore, M. macrocopa survival was best at salinity 0, with a percentage of 98%, whereas the opposite occurred at salinity 15, with approximately 20% of viable animals surviving. Besides, M. macrocopa also showed the highest reproduction rate at salinity 0 (e.g., average initial age of reproduction, 4.33 ± 0.58 days) compared with other salinities level. Interestingly, the difference in growth at different salinities was not evident, an unusual finding when considering adverse effects such as osmoregulation pressure on the organism. Based on the results, we conclude that M. macrocopa can only tolerate salinity below salinity 8 and cannot withstand stressful environmental conditions associated with salinities above 8.

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Influence of temperature on the development and reproduction of Cinara cedri (Hemiptera: Aphidoidea: Lachninae)

Bulletin of Entomological Research ◽

10.1017/s0007485321000419 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-6

Author(s):

Yingchao Ji ◽

Guohua Li ◽

Chenggang Zhou ◽

Shuyan Yin

Keyword(s):

Intrinsic Rate ◽

Intrinsic Rate Of Increase ◽

Threshold Temperature ◽

Reproduction Rate ◽

Cedrus Deodara ◽

Developmental Threshold ◽

Factors Affecting ◽

Rate Of Increase ◽

Influence Of Temperature On ◽

Development Duration

Abstract Temperature is one of the main factors affecting insect growth, development and reproduction. The effects of temperatures (10, 15, 20, 25 and 30°C) on the development and reproduction of Cinara cedri Mimeur (Hemiptera: Aphidoidea: Lachnidae) fed on Cedrus deodara (Roxb.) G. Don were evaluated in this study. With the increase of temperature from 10 to 30°C, the development duration at different development stages gradually shortened. There was a significant positive correlation between the developmental rates and temperature, following a quadratic regression model. The lower developmental threshold temperature (C) and effective accumulated temperatures (K) for completing a generation were 4.13°C and 263.4 degree-days, respectively. The highest fecundity was observed at 20°C with 25.74 first-instar nymphs/female. Both the highest intrinsic rate of increase (r, 0.11 ± 0.03) and net reproduction rate (R0, 19.06 ± 2.05) were observed at 20°C, whereas the lowest values of r (0.05 ± 0.01) at 10°C and R0 (5.78 ± 0.88) at 30°C were observed. The results suggest that temperature significantly affects the biology of C. cedri and the optimal temperature for its development is 20°C.

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Ambient Humidity Affects Development, Survival, and Reproduction of the Invasive Fall Armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), in China

Journal of Economic Entomology ◽

10.1093/jee/toab056 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Limei He ◽

Shengyuan Zhao ◽

Abid Ali ◽

Shishuai Ge ◽

Kongming Wu

Keyword(s):

Spodoptera Frugiperda ◽

Fall Armyworm ◽

Intrinsic Rate ◽

Intrinsic Rate Of Increase ◽

Reproduction Rate ◽

Ambient Humidity ◽

Rate Of Increase ◽

Population Forecasting ◽

Survival And Reproduction ◽

Net Reproduction

Abstract Ambient humidity can directly affect the water balance in insects. The migratory fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda Smith, has spread to more than 60 countries and regions in Africa, Asia, and Oceania that have a great difference in average ambient humidity. Understanding the effects of ambient humidity changes on its development, survival, and reproduction can help to predict its population dynamics in different habitats. Therefore, we evaluated the effects of atmospheric relative humidity (RH) on the development, survival, and reproduction and soil moisture on the pupation and emergence of fall armyworm. As a result, survival and pupal mass increased significantly with increasing RH. Among the five RHs tested, 80% RH was the most suitable for fall armyworm with the highest intrinsic rate of increase (r), finite rate of increase (λ), and net reproduction rate (R0). The population growth at the different RHs in decreasing order was 80 > 100 > 60 > 40 > 20%. A relative moisture (RM) of soil from 6.80 to 47.59% was suitable for fall armyworm pupation, survival, and eclosion, but fall armyworm could not pupate normally in soil with 88.39 and 95.19% RM. The survival and emergence rate of fall armyworm pupae were reduced by irrigation that increased the RM after the mature larvae entered the soil. These findings may be helpful for refining laboratory rearing protocols, population forecasting, and management of fall armyworm.

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Exploring optimal control of epidemic spread using reinforcement learning

Scientific Reports ◽

10.1038/s41598-020-79147-8 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 10 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Abu Quwsar Ohi ◽

M. F. Mridha ◽

Muhammad Mostafa Monowar ◽

Md. Abdul Hamid

Keyword(s):

Reinforcement Learning ◽

Economic Crisis ◽

Transmission Rate ◽

Optimal Solution ◽

Short Length ◽

Reproduction Rate ◽

Economic Factors ◽

Epidemic Spread ◽

The Impact ◽

Individual Human

AbstractPandemic defines the global outbreak of a disease having a high transmission rate. The impact of a pandemic situation can be lessened by restricting the movement of the mass. However, one of its concomitant circumstances is an economic crisis. In this article, we demonstrate what actions an agent (trained using reinforcement learning) may take in different possible scenarios of a pandemic depending on the spread of disease and economic factors. To train the agent, we design a virtual pandemic scenario closely related to the present COVID-19 crisis. Then, we apply reinforcement learning, a branch of artificial intelligence, that deals with how an individual (human/machine) should interact on an environment (real/virtual) to achieve the cherished goal. Finally, we demonstrate what optimal actions the agent perform to reduce the spread of disease while considering the economic factors. In our experiment, we let the agent find an optimal solution without providing any prior knowledge. After training, we observed that the agent places a long length lockdown to reduce the first surge of a disease. Furthermore, the agent places a combination of cyclic lockdowns and short length lockdowns to halt the resurgence of the disease. Analyzing the agent’s performed actions, we discover that the agent decides movement restrictions not only based on the number of the infectious population but also considering the reproduction rate of the disease. The estimation and policy of the agent may improve the human-strategy of placing lockdown so that an economic crisis may be avoided while mitigating an infectious disease.

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A comparative analysis of the karyotypes of Cricetus cricetus and Cricetulus griseus

Chromosoma ◽

10.1007/bf00300392 ◽

1976 ◽

Vol 55 (3) ◽

pp. 259-265 ◽

Cited By ~ 14

Author(s):

R. Gamperl ◽

G. Vistorin ◽

W. Rosenkranz

Keyword(s):

Comparative Analysis ◽

Cricetulus Griseus ◽

Cricetus Cricetus

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