The geoeffective interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) component
B
s
,
B
s
=
B
z
,
GSM
when
B
z
,
GSM
<
0
, is the most commonly used at 1-hour resolution for studying solar wind–magnetosphere ...coupling. In this way, the fluctuation of both
B
z
,
GSM
(and thus
B
s
) and IMF polarity within the hour are not taken into account. We investigate whether the global patterns of
B
s
and
B
s
sorted by IMF polarity (
B
s
fields) change when these fluctuations are considered with respect to those based on hourly data. We have obtained
B
s
fields at the high 16-second resolution. In this way, the information about the existence of
B
s
fields within an hour is retained. The present study has shown that the initial resolution of the IMF data used to obtain
B
s
fields (16-seconds or 1-hour) does not affect their characteristic patterns: diurnal, annual, and semiannual variations. Regardless of the initial IMF resolution, the
B
s
sorted by the IMF polarity exists in all seasons. They show the two annual sinusoidal-like variations of opposite phase, the “pair of spectacles” pattern. The initial resolution affects only slightly the absolute values of
B
s
fields. The results have shown that hourly values of IMF data are suitable for studying their global behavior within the year and also for investigating their relationship with magnetospheric quantities.
The box tree moth (Cydalima perspectalis Walker, 1859; Lepidoptera: Crambidae) is an invasive species naturally distributed in Asia. The caterpillars in all developmental stages cause damage through ...defoliation of plants, and ultimately the death of the plant itself may occur. It is possible to recognize this species by its silk barriers and threads, and in the case of an intense attack, the entire plant will be covered with them. In Europe, this species’ presence was first recorded in 2007 in Germany and the Netherlands, and it is now widely distributed. In Croatia, its existence was first recorded in 2012, in Istria, while substantial damages were recorded in 2013. This work aimed to determine the morphological variability of C. perspectalis from Croatia and assess its invasive character, the possibility of flight, and the risk of further spread. The methods of geometric morphometrics were used as the analysis of wing shape. A total of 269 moths from different locations in Croatia were collected, the upper wings of males and females were analyzed using 14 landmarks. Significant differences in wing shapes between terrestrial and coastal populations were found, as well as subtle wing shape sexual dimorphism. The implications of this variability in species invasiveness and capacity of spread are discussed in this paper. We also extrapolate the usefulness of our results and suggest strategies for predicting and managing invasive species.
Maternal nutrition and lifestyle in pregnancy are important modifiable factors for both maternal and offspring's health. Although the Mediterranean diet has beneficial effects on health, recent ...studies have shown low adherence in Europe. This study aimed to assess the Mediterranean diet adherence in 266 pregnant women from Dalmatia, Croatia and to investigate their lifestyle habits and regional differences. Adherence to the Mediterranean diet was assessed through two Mediterranean diet scores. Differences in maternal characteristics (diet, education, income, parity, smoking, pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI), physical activity, contraception) with regards to location and dietary habits were analyzed using the non-parametric Mann-Whitney U test. The machine learning approach was used to reveal other potential non-linear relationships. The results showed that adherence to the Mediterranean diet was low to moderate among the pregnant women in this study, with no significant mainland-island differences. The highest adherence was observed among wealthier women with generally healthier lifestyle choices. The most significant mainland-island differences were observed for lifestyle and socioeconomic factors (income, education, physical activity). The machine learning approach confirmed the findings of the conventional statistical method. We can conclude that adverse socioeconomic and lifestyle conditions were more pronounced in the island population, which, together with the observed non-Mediterranean dietary pattern, calls for more effective intervention strategies.
Marked variations exist in the incidence and mortality trends of major cancers in South-Eastern European (SEE) countries which have now been detailed by age for breast cancer (BC) to seek clues for ...improvement.
We brought together and analysed data from 14 cancer registries (CRs), situated in SEE countries or directly adjacent. Age-standardised rate at world standard (ASRw) and truncated incidence and mortality rates during 2000–2010 by year, and for four age groups, were calculated. Average annual percentage change of rates was estimated using Joinpoint regression.
Annual incidence rates increased significantly in countries and age groups, by 2–4% (15–39 years), 2–5% (40–49), 1–4% (50–69) and 1–6% (at 70+). Mortality rates decreased significantly in all age-groups in most countries, but increased up to 5% annually above age 55 in Ukraine, Serbia, Moldova and Cyprus. The BC data quality was evaluated by internationally agreed indicators which appeared suboptimal for Moldova, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Romania.
The observed variations of incidence trends reflect the influence of risk factors, as well as levels of early detection activities (screening). While mortality rates were mostly decreasing, probably due to improved cancer care and introduction of more effective systemic treatment regimens, the worrying increasing mortality trends in the 55-plus age groups in some countries have to be addressed by health professionals and policymakers. In order to assess and monitor the effects of cancer control activities in the region, the CRs need substantial investments.
•Breast cancer incidence and mortality trends in South-Eastern Europe have been detailed by age.•The breast cancer data quality was evaluated by internationally agreed indicators.•Annual incidence rates increased significantly in countries and age groups.•Mortality rates decreased in most countries, but increased above age 55 in some of them.•Cancer registries in the region have a potential to expand their role in breast cancer control.
Use of Geometric morphometrics tools to understand invasiveness patterns of invasive species. The box tree moth is an invasive species that originated in Asia. Its presence causes damage by ...defoliating plants, to the point of causing their death. The presence of silk barriers and threads, covering plants during intense attacks, allows for species recognition. Cydalima perspectalis was first detected in 2007 in Germany and the Netherlands, after which it spread widely to other regions of Europe. In Croatia, its presence was first recorded in 2012 and it caused notable damage in 2013. This study analyzed the wing morphological variability of C. perspectalis in Croatia and its invasive character. This technique uses a mathematical approach in which the combination of geometry and statistics is essential to understand the morphology of invasive organisms; principally, how the wings adapt to allow the moth to colonize new environments. To achieve this, 269 moths from different areas were collected, and the wings of both males and females were evaluated. Significant differences in wing shape were found between terrestrial and coastal populations, with no sexual dimorphism established. The implications of this variability with regard to the invasive capacity and spread of the species are discussed. The box tree moth (Cydalima perspectalis Walker, 1859; Lepidoptera: Crambidae) is an invasive species naturally distributed in Asia. The caterpillars in all developmental stages cause damage through defoliation of plants, and ultimately the death of the plant itself may occur. It is possible to recognize this species by its silk barriers and threads, and in the case of an intense attack, the entire plant will be covered with them. In Europe, this species’ presence was first recorded in 2007 in Germany and the Netherlands, and it is now widely distributed. In Croatia, its existence was first recorded in 2012, in Istria, while substantial damages were recorded in 2013. This work aimed to determine the morphological variability of C. perspectalis from Croatia and assess its invasive character, the possibility of flight, and the risk of further spread. The methods of geometric morphometrics were used as the analysis of wing shape. A total of 269 moths from different locations in Croatia were collected, the upper wings of males and females were analyzed using 14 landmarks. Significant differences in wing shapes between terrestrial and coastal populations were found, as well as subtle wing shape sexual dimorphism. The implications of this variability in species invasiveness and capacity of spread are discussed in this paper. We also extrapolate the usefulness of our results and suggest strategies for predicting and managing invasive species.
The aim of this study was to examine the sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3) effect on recovery in high-level judokas.
The sample of participants consisted of 10 male judokas (Age = 20 ± 2.1 years) who are ...judo masters (black belt holders) with a minimum of 10 years of training and competition experience. The study was designed as a double-blinded crossover design with the order of treatments being randomly assigned. The washout period was 72 h. All subjects received a dose of sodium bicarbonate (0.3 g/kg body weight) or a placebo 120 min before the fatigue caused by the special judo fitness test (SJFT). Lactate concentration (LC), countermovement jump (CMJ), hand grip strength and degree of perceived fatigue on Borg's scale (RPE) were tested two times before SJFT and four times after SJFT.
There was no interaction between groups and type of recovery at any time during the two types of recovery for RPE, grip strength, VJ and lactate concentration (
> 0.05). However, there was a main effect of time for dominant grip strength (F
= 3.3;
= 0.01; η
= 0.25, (small)), non-dominant grip strength (F
= 3.2;
= 0.01; η
= 0.24, (small)), CMJ (F
= 8.8;
= 0.01; η
= 0.47, (small)), and LC (F
= 124.2;
= 0.001; η
= 0.92, (moderate)).
The results of the present study show no significant difference between the NaHCO3 and placebo groups in RPE, handgrip strength, CMJ, and lactate concentration.
The hypothesis of this study was that different plant hosts of the medfly Ceratitis capitata may cause variability as a prerequisite for its invasiveness. The main objective was to determine ...population variability based on medfly wing shape in three favorable medfly host plants (peach, fig and mandarin) from different agroecological growing areas with different pest management practices, and to evaluate phenotypic plasticity as a basis for future expansion into new areas and new hosts. Using geometric morphometric methods across 14 specific landmarks on the medfly wings, 10 populations were tested from infested peach, fig and mandarin fruits, as well as laboratory-grown sterile populations. The studies led to the following main findings: (1) all of the medfly populations that were studied exhibited sexual dimorphism in wing shape; (2) the hosts in which the medfly develops influence wing shape and condition its variability; (3) there is significant variability between laboratory mass-reared sterile and wild individuals in male and female populations; (4) a high phenotypic plasticity of medfly populations was observed along the study sites. Even the low but clearly detected variability between different agroecological conditions and localized variability indicate genotypic stability and high phenotypic plasticity, which can be considered as a prerequisite for medfly invasiveness and dispersal to new areas.
The Mediterranean fruit fly or medfly, Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann, 1824) is one of the most economically important fruit flies globally. Geometric morphometric methods based on principal component ...analyses, multivariate regressions and two blocks partial least squares analyses were used in this study to estimate patterns of sexual shape dimorphism and the influence of agroecological factors (weather conditions, soil properties) in two different populations on C. capitata in Croatia. Results shown significant differences in mean shape between C. capitata sexes, nevertheless, females did not modify they wing morphology between populations, in contrast to males where the wing shape differ between island and continent populations. Wing size and shape showed particularly differences between agroecological systems suggesting metapopulation structure of C. capitata which is currently favouring sex-specific plasticity. These results show that geometric morphometric procedures can be used to provide key insight into the biological adaptation of medfly in newly invaded habitats, a significant process that ensures invasion success.
Stress urinary incontinence (SUI) is a common type of urinary incontinence in women, affecting large proportion of women. Surgical methods, especially suburethral sling operations are the most ...important modes of the treatment of SUI. Bulking agents were created as an alternative to conventional surgical methods and may be the first line of therapy in certain patients. Periurethral bulking implies implantation of various biocompatible agents around the urethra in order to improve coaptation of the urethral walls during intra-abdominal pressure elevation. The rates of cure are lower with bulking methods as compared with surgical techniques but are associated with a lower prevalence of postoperative complications. Bovine collagen remains the most frequently injected agent worldwide, with cure rates of 53% at 12 months after procedure. Polyacrylamide hydrogel and silicone micro implants have showed promising results, with about 64% improvement rate at 18 to 24 months after procedure. Application of urethral bulking agents is minimally invasive procedure and is mostly applied outpatiently in local anesthesia. Urethral bulking agents are safe for clinical usage. Bulking agents should not be recommended as a method of final cure because they only lead to short-term improvement.
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