280 research outputs found
Bolborhinum shajovskoyi Martinez 1952
No full textBolborhinum shajovskoyi (Martínez, 1952) (Figs. 7, 8, 26–29) Original combination: Bolboceras shajovskoyi Martínez, 1952: 318. Type locality: “ Argentina, territorio nacional de Neuquén, San Martín de los Andes.” Type series: holotype male at MACN labeled a) S.M.Andes / P. Nac. Lanín / L. Swaryczewski (typeset), b) “ HOLOTYPUS ” (typeset, faded red label), c) “ Bolboceras / shajovskoyi sp. n. ɗ” (handwritten by Martínez, red label), d) “Southern Neotropical Scarabs / database # JM 2000595 / Bolborhinum shajovskoyi / (Martínez, 1951) ɗ / DET: J. MONDACA E. 2007 ” (typeset). One female allotype at MACN labeled a) “ Enero 1950 / S.M. Andes / I.Schajovskoi” (typeset), b) “ALLOTYPUS” (typeset, faded red label), c) “ Bolboceras / shajovskoyi sp. n. Ψ” (handwritten by Martínez, red label), d) “Southern Neotropical Scarabs / database # JM 2000596 / Bolborhinum shajovskoyi / (Martínez, 1951) / DET: J. MONDACA E. 2007 ” (typeset). One male paratype at HAHC labeled a) “ II- 1951 / S.M.Andes / P.Nac.Lanín / I.Schajovskoi” (typeset), b) “PARATIPO” (typeset), c) “ Bolboceras (Bolborh.) / shajovskoyi / sp. n. ɗ / A. MARTINEZ-DET. 1952 ” (handwritten and typeset), d) “H. & A. HOWDEN / COLLECTION / ex. A. Martínez coll.” (typeset), e) “Southern Neotropical Scarabs / database # AS 2607380 / Bolborhinum shajovskoyi / (Martínez, 1952) ɗ / DET: A.B.T. SMITH 2006 ” (typeset). One male paratype at HAHC labeled a) “ I- 1952 / S.M.Andes / P.Nac.Lanín / I.Schajovskoi” (typeset), b) “PARATIPO” (typeset), c) “ Bolboceras (Bolborh.) / shajovskoyi / sp. n. Ψ / A. MARTINEZ-DET. 1952 ” (handwritten and typeset), d) “H. & A. HOWDEN / COLLECTION / ex. A. Martínez coll.” (typeset), e) “Southern Neotropical Scarabs / database # AS 2607381 / Bolborhinum shajovskoyi / (Martínez, 1952) ɗ / DET: A.B.T. SMITH 2006 ” (typeset). One male paratype at HAHC labeled a) “S.M.Andes / P.Nac.Lanín / I.Schajovskoi” (typeset), b) “PARATIPO” (typeset), c) “ Bolboceras (Bolborh.) / shajovskoyi ɗ / sp. n. / A. MARTINEZ-DET. 1952 ” (handwritten and typeset), d) “H. & A. HOWDEN / COLLECTION / ex. A. Martínez coll.” (typeset), e) “Southern Neotropical Scarabs / database # AS 2607382 / Bolborhinum shajovskoyi / (Martínez, 1952) ɗ / DET: A.B.T. SMITH 2006 ” (typeset). One male paratype at HAHC labeled a) “ Enero 1950 / S.M. Andes / I.Schajovskoi” (typeset), b) “H. & A. Howden / Collection” (typeset), c) “PARATIPO” (typeset), d) “ Bolboceras (Bolborh.) / shajovskoyi ɗ / sp. n. / A. MARTINEZ-DET. 19 ” (handwritten and typeset), d) “H. & A. HOWDEN / COLLECTION / ex. A. Martínez coll.” (typeset), e) “Southern Neotropical Scarabs / database # AS 2607383 / Bolborhinum shajovskoyi / (Martínez, 1952) ɗ / DET: A.B.T. SMITH 2006 ” (typeset). One female paratype at HAHC labeled a) “ I- 1951 / S.M.Andes / P.Nac.Lanín / I.Schajovskoi” (typeset), b) “PARATIPO” (typeset), c) “ Bolboceras (Bolborh.) / shajovskoyi Ψ / sp. n. / A. MARTINEZ-DET. 1952 ” (handwritten and typeset), d) “H. & A. HOWDEN / COL- LECTION / ex. A. Martínez coll.” (typeset), e) “Southern Neotropical Scarabs / database # AS 2607390 / Bolborhinum shajovskoyi / (Martínez, 1952) Ψ / DET: A.B.T. SMITH 2006 ” (typeset). One female paratype at HAHC labeled a) “ I- 1951 / S.M.Andes / P.Nac.Lanín / I.Schajovskoi” (typeset), b) “PARATIPO” (typeset), c) “ Bolboceras (Bolborh.) / shajovskoyi Ψ / sp. n. / A. MARTINEZ-DET. 1952 ” (handwritten and typeset), d) “H. & A. HOWDEN / COLLECTION / ex. A. Martínez coll.” (typeset), e) “Southern Neotropical Scarabs / database # AS 2607391 / Bolborhinum shajovskoyi / (Martínez, 1952) Ψ / DET: A.B.T. SMITH 2006 ” (typeset). Specimens examined: 25 specimens were examined from FMNH, HAHC, IADIZA, JEBC, JMEC, LACM, MACN. Diagnosis. Length 17.0–19.0 mm. Color dark brown in males and reddish-brown in females. This species is distinguished from other Bolborhinum by the shape and placement of the male cephalic horns. Head dorsally rugulose, with two clypeal horns and two lateral, triangular processes; first clypeal horn directed anteriorly, slightly curved, situated at midline of clypeal apex, less developed than the second; second horn located immediately behind the first, robust, slightly declivous anteriorly, with apex obtuse, widened distally. Frontoclypeal surface laterally with two strongly elevated cariniform processes that converge distally; vertex depressed, impunctate (Figs. 26, 28). Pronotum with deep, wide anterior excavation; pronotal declivity straight, perfectly parallel at posterolateral margin of the pronotum (lateral view); posterosuperior ridge transverse, subrectum, slightly sinuate medially. Females similar to males, except in the trapezoidal shape of the head and total absence of horns; dorsal surface with an elevated tubercle and two lateral processes on the frontoclypeus. Pronotum with weak depression located immediately behind of the anterior margin; dorsal surface densely covered with small punctures, laterally densely rugopunctate. Distribution (Fig. 60): ARGENTINA (23). Mendoza (1): Laguna Diamantes (1). Neuquén (20): Auca Pan (2), Collón Curá (1), Junín de los Andes (1), Las Taguas (2), Parque Nacional Lanín; San Martín de los Andes (7), Tipilinka (1), Río Alumine (1), San Martín de Los Andes (5). Río Negro (2): Bariloche (1), El Bolsón (1). CHILE (2). IX Región de La Araucanía (2): Liucura, Pino Hachado (2). Temporal data. January (10), February (1), November (7), December (5). Remarks: The specimen of this species collected in Mendoza represents a northern range extension of approximately 400 km. More collecting is obviously needed in the montane regions of Mendoza and Neuquén to fill in the gaps and get a complete picture of the distribution of this species.Published as part of Mondaca, José & Smith, Andrew B. T., 2008, A revision of the southern South American genus Bolborhinum Boucomont (Coleoptera: Geotrupidae: Bolboceratinae), pp. 1-48 in Zootaxa 1794 on pages 15-16, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.18260
Distinct migratory and non-migratory ecotypes of an endemic New Zealand eleotrid (Gobiomorphus cotidianus) – implications for incipient speciation in island freshwater fish species
No full textBackground: Many postglacial lakes contain fish species with distinct ecomorphs. Similar evolutionary scenarios might be acting on evolutionarily young fish communities in lakes of remote islands. One process that drives diversification in island freshwater fish species is the colonization of depauperate freshwater environments by diadromous (migratory) taxa, which secondarily lose their migratory behaviour. The loss of migration limits dispersal and gene flow between distant populations, and, therefore, is expected to facilitate local morphological and genetic differentiation. To date, most studies have focused on interspecific relationships among migratory species and their non-migratory sister taxa. We hypothesize that the loss of migration facilitates intraspecific morphological, behavioural, and genetic differentiation between migratory and non-migratory populations of facultatively diadromous taxa, and, hence, incipient speciation of island freshwater fish species.
Results: Microchemical analyses of otolith isotopes (Sr-88, Ba-137 and Ca-43) differentiated migratory and non-migratory stocks of the New Zealand endemic Gobiomorphus cotidianus McDowall (Eleotridae). Samples were taken from two rivers, one lake and two geographically-separated outgroup locations. Meristic analyses of oculoscapular lateral line canals documented a gradual reduction of these structures in the non-migratory populations. Amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) fingerprints revealed considerable genetic isolation between migratory and non-migratory populations. Temporal differences in reproductive timing (migratory = winter spawners, non-migratory = summer spawners; as inferred from gonadosomatic indices) provide a prezygotic reproductive isolation mechanism between the two ecotypes.
Conclusion: This study provides a holistic look at the role of diadromy in incipient speciation of island freshwater fish species. All four analytical approaches (otolith microchemistry, morphology, spawning timing, population genetics) yield congruent results, and provide clear and independent evidence for the existence of distinct migratory and non-migratory ecotypes within a river in a geographically confined range. The morphological changes within the non-migratory populations parallel interspecific patterns observed in all non-migratory New Zealand endemic Gobiomorphus species and other derived gobiid taxa, a pattern suggesting parallel evolution. This study indicates, for the first time, that distinct ecotypes of island freshwater fish species may be formed as a consequence of loss of migration and subsequent diversification. Therefore, if reproductive isolation persists, these processes may provide a mechanism to facilitate speciation
SHARE OF LABOUR COMPENSATION AND AGGREGATE DEMAND – DISCUSSIONS TOWARDS A GROWTH STRATEGY
No full textEconomic growth strategies of developing countries have focused in the last decades on expanding their exports. In that scheme, wage compression seems necessary in order to compensate the observed slow productivity pace achieving, therefore, “competitiveness”. The core of this discussion is, undoubtedly, how the national product is appropriated through wages and surplus, i.e. the factorial income distribution. From that viewpoint, this paper discusses the long-term impoverishment of Argentinean workers through two key aspects of the economic process: on one hand, the way in which labour force is allocated, by analysing the relationship between real wage and productivity. On the other, how income is used in the acquisition of consumer goods and capital formation. In order to fully comprehend those trends, this paper recourses to an international comparison with two types of countries: the developed ones (United States of America, France and Japan) and the largest Latin American economies (Brazil and Mexico). As these processes take place in the long run, this paper’s analysis period will start from the 1950s.
Multilevel multiple imputation: An examination of competing methods
No full textabstract: Missing data are common in psychology research and can lead to bias and reduced power if not properly handled. Multiple imputation is a state-of-the-art missing data method recommended by methodologists. Multiple imputation methods can generally be divided into two broad categories: joint model (JM) imputation and fully conditional specification (FCS) imputation. JM draws missing values simultaneously for all incomplete variables using a multivariate distribution (e.g., multivariate normal). FCS, on the other hand, imputes variables one at a time, drawing missing values from a series of univariate distributions. In the single-level context, these two approaches have been shown to be equivalent with multivariate normal data. However, less is known about the similarities and differences of these two approaches with multilevel data, and the methodological literature provides no insight into the situations under which the approaches would produce identical results. This document examined five multilevel multiple imputation approaches (three JM methods and two FCS methods) that have been proposed in the literature. An analytic section shows that only two of the methods (one JM method and one FCS method) used imputation models equivalent to a two-level joint population model that contained random intercepts and different associations across levels. The other three methods employed imputation models that differed from the population model primarily in their ability to preserve distinct level-1 and level-2 covariances. I verified the analytic work with computer simulations, and the simulation results also showed that imputation models that failed to preserve level-specific covariances produced biased estimates. The studies also highlighted conditions that exacerbated the amount of bias produced (e.g., bias was greater for conditions with small cluster sizes). The analytic work and simulations lead to a number of practical recommendations for researchers.Dissertation/ThesisDoctoral Dissertation Psychology 201
A RE-EXAMINATION OF THE ARCHITECTURE OF THE INTERNATIONAL ECONOMIC SYSTEM IN A GLOBAL SETTING: ISSUES AND PROPOSALS
No full textThe globalization of the world economy poses major challenges to the prevailing international economic system. The recent trade-investment system raises the issues of the marginalization of countries, firms, and agents if they are not capable to compete with large successful entities. The system engenders conflicts of interest in its interfacing with sovereign domains. In numerous cases such as employment and mutual trade benefits, it can produce zero sum outcomes. Consequently, significant segments of public opinion in many countries have mobilized against it. In the monetary and financial area, the system has from 1945 evolved on a piecemeal and ad hoc basis. In recent years, it has not been able to predict, prevent or effectively deal with financial crisis. It demonstrates a lacuna in global financial governance especially with respect to enforcing its rules on the major countries and bringing the private sector therein. The central institution, the IMF, is shown to be in need of basic reforms involving forging a global vision, reconsidering and updating conditionality, further democratization of political governance, and revamping the exchange rates and surveillance functions.
POLICY SPACE: WHAT, FOR WHAT, AND WHERE?
No full textThe paper examines how developing countries can use existing policy space, and enlarge it, without opting out of international commitments. It argues that: (i) a meaningful context for policy space must extend beyond trade policy and include macroeconomic and exchange-rate policies that will achieve developmental goals more effectively; (ii) policy space depends not only on international rules but also on the impact of international market conditions and policy decisions taken in other countries on the effectiveness of national policy instruments; and (iii) international integration affects policy space through several factors that pull in opposite directions; whether it increases or reduces policy space differs by country and type of integration.
A bioelectrochemical approach to characterize extracellular electron transfer by Synechocystis sp. PCC6803
No full textBiophotovoltaic devices employ photosynthetic organisms at the anode of a microbial fuel cell to generate electrical power. Although a range of cyanobacteria and algae have been shown to generate photocurrent in devices of a multitude of architectures, mechanistic understanding of extracellular electron transfer by phototrophs remains minimal. Here we describe a mediatorless bioelectrochemical device to measure the electrogenic output of a planktonically grown cyanobacterium, Synechocystis sp. PCC6803. Light dependent production of current is measured, and its magnitude is shown to scale with microbial cell concentration and light intensity. Bioelectrochemical characterization of a Synechocystis mutant lacking Photosystem II demonstrates conclusively that production of the majority of photocurrent requires a functional water splitting aparatus and electrons are likely ultimately derived from water. This shows the potential of the device to rapidly and quantitatively characterize photocurrent production by genetically modified strains, an approach that can be used in future studies to delineate the mechanisms of cyanobacterial extracellular electron transport
Adjunctive treatment with oral AKL1, a botanical nutraceutical, in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
No full textClaire Brockwell,1 Sundari Ampikaipakan,1,2 Darren W Sexton,1 David Price,3,4 Daryl Freeman,5 Mike Thomas,6 Muzammil Ali,4 Andrew M Wilson1,21Norwich Medical School, University of East Anglia, Norwich, UK; 2Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital Foundation Trust, Norwich, UK; 3Academic Primary Care, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK; 4Research in Real Life, Cambridge, UK; 5Mundesley Medical Centre, Mundesley, Norwich, UK; 6Primary Care Research, Aldermoor Health Centre, University of Southampton, Southampton, UKPurpose: The objective of this pilot trial was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of AKL1, a patented botanical formulation containing extracts of Picrorhiza kurroa, Ginkgo biloba, and Zingiber officinale, as add-on therapy for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and chronic cough.Patients and methods: This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial enrolled male and female patients >18 years old with COPD and Leicester Cough Questionnaire (LCQ) score of <18. The 10-week study period comprised a 2-week single-blind placebo run-in period followed by add-on treatment with AKL1 or placebo twice daily for 8 weeks. The primary study endpoint was the change from week 0 to week 8 in cough-related health status, as assessed by the LCQ.Results: Of 33 patients enrolled, 20 were randomized to AKL1 and 13 to placebo. Patients included 19 (58%) men and 14 (42%) women of mean (standard deviation [SD]) age of 67 (9.4) years; 15 (45%) patients were smokers and 16 (49%) were ex-smokers. The mean (SD) change from baseline in LCQ score at 8 weeks was 2.3 (4.9) in the AKL1 group and 0.6 (3.7) in the placebo group, with mean difference in change of 1.8 (95% confidence interval: –1.5 to 5.1; P=0.28). The St George's Respiratory Questionnaire score improved substantially in the AKL1 treatment group by a mean (SD) of –7.7 (11.7) versus worsening in the placebo group (+1.5 [9.3]), with mean difference in change of –9.2 (95% confidence interval: –19.0 to 0.6; P=0.064). There were no significant differences between treatment groups in change from baseline to week 8 in other patient-reported measures, lung function, or the 6-minute walk distance.Conclusion: Further study is needed with a larger patient population and over a longer duration to better assess the effects of add-on therapy with AKL1 in COPD.Keywords: Leicester Cough Questionnaire, anti-inflammatory, Picrorhiza kurroa, Ginkgo biloba, Zingiber officinal
THE SCOPE FOR FOREIGN EXCHANGE MARKET INTERVENTIONS
No full textThe discussion on exchange rate policy is dominated by the so-called “impossible trinity”. According to this principle an autonomous monetary policy, a control over the exchange rate and free capital movements cannot be achieved simultaneously. In this paper, a strategy of managed floating is developed that allows transforming the “impossible trinity” into a “possible trinity”. If a central bank targets an exchange rate path which is determined by uncovered interest parity (UIP), it can at the same time set its policy rate autonomously. As a UIP path removes the incentives for carry-trade, it is also compatible with capital mobility. The approach can be used unilaterally to prevent carry trade as a central bank can always prevent an appreciation of its currency. But it can also be applied bilaterally or multilaterally. Successful examples are the European Monetary System and the exchange rate policy of Slovenia before its EMU membership.
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