scholarly journals Evidence for Range Expansion and Origins of an Invasive Hornet Vespa bicolor (Hymenoptera, Vespidae) in Taiwan, with Notes on Its Natural Status

Insects ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
pp. 320
Author(s):  
Sheng-Shan Lu ◽  
Junichi Takahashi ◽  
Wen-Chi Yeh ◽  
Ming-Lun Lu ◽  
Jing-Yi Huang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Range Expansion ◽  
Ecological Niche Modeling ◽  
Phylogenetic Analyses ◽  
Current Status ◽  
Mountain Areas ◽  
Colony Losses ◽  
Short Branch ◽  
Branch Lengths ◽  
The Government ◽  
Central Taiwan

The invasive alien species (IAS) Vespa bicolor is the first reported hornet that has established in Taiwan and is concerning as they prey on honeybee Apis mellifera, which leads to colony losses and public concerns. Thus, the aim of this study was to assess the current status of V. bicolor abundance, dispersal, and impact and to trace the origins of Taiwan’s V. bicolor population. Our studies took place in five areas in northern to central Taiwan. We used mtDNA in the phylogenetic analyses. Field survey and ecological niche modeling (ENM) were used to understand the origins and current range of the invasive species. Two main subgroups of V. bicolor in the phylogenetic tree were found, and a clade with short branch lengths in Southeastern China and Taiwan formed a subgroup, which shows that the Taiwan population may have invaded from a single event. Evidence shows that V. bicolor is not a severe pest to honeybees in the study area; however, using ENM, we predict the rapid dispersion of this species to the cooler and hilly mountain areas of Taiwan. The management of V. bicolor should also involve considering it a local pest to reduce loss by beekeepers and public fear in Taiwan. Our findings highlight how the government, beekeepers, and researchers alike should be aware of the implications of V. bicolor’s rapid range expansion in Taiwan, or in other countries.

scholarly journals Revising transcriptome assemblies with phylogenetic information in Agalma1.0

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
August Guang ◽  
Mark Howison ◽  
Felipe Zapata ◽  
Charles Lawrence ◽  
Casey Dunn
Keyword(s):  
Phylogenetic Analysis ◽  
Transcriptome Assembly ◽  
Phylogenetic Analyses ◽  
Supplementary Information ◽  
Gene Trees ◽  
Phylogenetic Information ◽  
Short Branch ◽  
Multiple Genes ◽  
Branch Lengths ◽  
Supplementary Material

AbstractMotivationOne of the most common transcriptome assembly errors is to mistake different transcripts of the same gene as transcripts from multiple closely related genes. It is difficult to identify these errors during assembly, but in a phylogenetic analysis these errors can be diagnosed from gene trees containing clades of tips from the same species with improbably short branch lengths.Resultstreeinform is a module implemented in Agalma1.0 that uses phylogenetic analyses across species to refine transcriptome assemblies. It identifies transcripts of the same gene that were incorrectly assigned to multiple genes and reassign them as transcripts of the same gene.Availability and Implementationtreeinform is implemented in Agalma1.0, available at https://bitbucket.org/caseywdunn/[email protected] informationSupplementary information is available at bioRxiv.

scholarly journals Comparative Analysis of the Complete Chloroplast Genome Sequences of Three Closely Related East-Asian Wild Roses (Rosa sect. Synstylae; Rosaceae)

Genes ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 23 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ji-Hyeon Jeon ◽  
Seung-Chul Kim
Keyword(s):  
Chloroplast Genome ◽  
Phylogenetic Relationships ◽  
Phylogenetic Analyses ◽  
Rosa Multiflora ◽  
Protein Coding ◽  
Short Branch ◽  
Chloroplast Genomes ◽  
Genome Wide ◽  
Branch Lengths ◽  
Genome Wide Data

Species belonging to Rosa section Synstylae (Rosaceae) are mainly distributed in East Asia, and represent recently diverged lineages within the genus. Over decades, inferring phylogenetic relationships within section Synstylae have been exceptional challenges, due to short branch lengths and low support values. Of approximately 36 species in the section Synstylae, Rosa multiflora, Rosa luciae and Rosa maximowicziana are widely distributed in the Sino-Japanese floristic region. In this study, we assembled chloroplast genomes of these three species to compare the genomic features within section Synstylae, and to compare with other infrageneric groups. We found that three Rosa sect. Synstylae species had lost infA genes with pseudogenization, and they were almost identical to each other. Two protein-coding gene regions (ndhF and ycf1) and five non-coding regions (5’matK-trnK, psbI-trnS-trnG, rps16-trnG, rpoB-trnC, and rps4-trnT) were identified as being highly informative markers. Within three section Synstylae chloroplast genomes, 85 simple sequence repeat (SSR) motifs were detected, of which at least 13 motifs were identified to be effective markers. The phylogenetic relationships of R. multiflora, R. luciae and R. maximowicziana could not be resolved, even with chloroplast genome-wide data. This study reveals the chloroplast genomic data of Rosa sect. Synstylae, and it provides valuable markers for DNA barcoding and phylogenetic analyses for further studies.

Current Status of Knowledge and Awareness of Diabetes Mellitus in Saudi Arabia

2020 ◽  
Vol 16 ◽  
Author(s):  
Asirvatham Alwin Robert ◽  
Ahmad Dakeel Al Awad ◽  
Mohamed Abdulaziz Al Dawish
Keyword(s):  
Diabetes Mellitus ◽  
Saudi Arabia ◽  
Disease Risk ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Adult Population ◽  
Management Training ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Current Status ◽  
Treatment Modalities ◽  
The Government

Abstract: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a chronic disease, and the complications may be life-threatening; however, with proper treatment and control measures, it can be very well-managed. Self-management training and education of diabetes are critical in diabetes care and management. It is essential that patients with diabetes must have a comprehensive understanding of the nature of the disease, risk factors, complications, and possible treatment modalities to attenuate the complications. Over the last few years, DM in Saudi Arabia has been rapidly growing at an alarming rate. It has affected around one-fifth of the adult population, and by 2030, the numbers are predicted to rise further and exceed more than double the present number. An estimated tenfold increase has been reported over the past three decades in Saudi Arabia. However, there has not been much research focusing on understanding the knowledge and awareness of DM in Saudi Arabia as compared to developed nations. This review aims to present an overview of the current knowledge and awareness level of DM among the population of Saudi Arabia through an extensive review of the currently available literature. The review findings could be of immense assistance to the government, healthcare systems, educational institutions, and researchers to develop evidence-based programs, policies, and guidelines towards increasing the knowledge and awareness about diabetes and its management, so that early detection and management can be ensured to control the escalating burden of diabetes, in Saudi Arabia.

scholarly journals The Implementation of Childhood Obesity Related Policy Interventions in Malaysia—A Non Communicable Diseases Scorecard Project

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (11) ◽  
pp. 5950
Author(s):  
Wilfred Kok Hoe Mok ◽  
Noran Naqiah Hairi ◽  
Caryn Mei Hsien Chan ◽  
Feisul Idzwan Mustapha ◽  
Thamil Arasu Saminathan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Childhood Obesity ◽  
Communicable Diseases ◽  
Overweight And Obesity ◽  
Current Status ◽  
Non Communicable Diseases ◽  
Modified Delphi ◽  
Policy Interventions ◽  
Non Governmental Organizations ◽  
The Government

(1) Background: The prevalence of overweight and obesity among children has increased tremendously in the ASEAN region, including Malaysia. In Malaysia, the National Strategic Plan for Non-Communicable Diseases (2015–2025) provides the overall framework for its response to the non-communicable diseases (NCD) epidemic. Preventing childhood obesity is one of the key strategies for early intervention to prevent NCDs. The objective of this research is to examine the current status of policy interventions in addressing childhood obesity in Malaysia. (2) Methods: A panel of 22 stakeholders and experts from Malaysia, representing the government, industry, academia and non-governmental organizations, were sampled using a modified Delphi technique. Data were collected using a modified NCD scorecard under four domains (governance, risk factors, surveillance and research and health systems response). A heat map was used to measure the success of the four realms of the NCD scorecard. For each domain of the NCD scorecard, the final score was grouped in quintiles. (3) Results: A total of 22 participants responded, comprising of eight (36.4%) males and 14 (63.4%) females. All the domains measured in implementing policies related to childhood obesity were of low progress. Nine governance indicators were reported as 22.5% (low progress), four in the risk factors domain, and two in the surveillance. This shows that timely and accurate monitoring, participatory review and evaluation, and effective remedies are necessary for a country’s surveillance system. (4) Conclusion: Although Malaysia has published several key strategic documents relating to childhood obesity and implemented numerous policy interventions, we have identified several gaps that must be addressed to leverage the whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach in addressing childhood obesity in the country.

scholarly journals The Influence of Land Use Change on Key Ecosystem Services and Their Relationships in a Mountain Region from Past to Future (1995–2050)

Forests ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (5) ◽  
pp. 616
Author(s):  
Jie Gao ◽  
Xuguang Tang ◽  
Shiqiu Lin ◽  
Hongyan Bian
Keyword(s):  
Land Use ◽  
Ecosystem Services ◽  
Land Use Change ◽  
Sustainable Land Use ◽  
Mountain Region ◽  
Water Yield ◽  
Mountain Regions ◽  
Mountain Areas ◽  
The Government ◽  
Steep Slopes

The ecosystem services (ESs) provided by mountain regions can bring about benefits to people living in and around the mountains. Ecosystems in mountain areas are fragile and sensitive to anthropogenic disturbance. Understanding the effect of land use change on ESs and their relationships can lead to sustainable land use management in mountain regions with complex topography. Chongqing, as a typical mountain region, was selected as the site of this research. The long-term impacts of land use change on four key ESs (i.e., water yield (WY), soil conservation (SC), carbon storage (CS), and habitat quality (HQ)) and their relationships were assessed from the past to the future (at five-year intervals, 1995–2050). Three future scenarios were constructed to represent the ecological restoration policy and different socioeconomic developments. From 1995 to 2015, WY and SC experienced overall increases. CS and HQ increased slightly at first and then decreased significantly. A scenario analysis suggested that, if the urban area continues to increase at low altitudes, by 2050, CS and HQ are predicted to decrease moderately. However, great improvements in SC, HQ, and CS are expected to be achieved by the middle of the century if the government continues to make efforts towards vegetation restoration on the steep slopes.

scholarly journals Diversity and Antimicrobial Resistance in the Streptococcus bovis/Streptococcus equinus Complex (SBSEC) Isolated from Korean Domestic Ruminants

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 98
Author(s):  
Seon Young Park ◽  
Mingyung Lee ◽  
Se Ra Lim ◽  
Hyemin Kwon ◽  
Ye Seul Lee ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Antimicrobial Resistance ◽  
Phylogenetic Analyses ◽  
Tetracycline Resistance ◽  
Current Status ◽  
Streptococcus Bovis ◽  
Limited Information ◽  
Phenotypic Resistance ◽  
Domestic Ruminants ◽  
Antimicrobial Resistance Genes ◽  
Acid Producing Bacteria

S. bovis/S. equinus complex (SBSEC) includes lactic acid-producing bacteria considered as the causative agent associated with acute rumen lactic acidosis in intensive ruminants. Considering the limited information on the detailed characteristics and diversity of SBSEC in Korea and the emergence of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), we investigated the diversity of SBSEC from domestic ruminants and verified the presence of antimicrobial resistance genes (ARGs) against several antimicrobials with their phenotypic resistance. Among 51 SBSEC isolates collected, two SBSEC members (S. equinus and S. lutetiensis) were identified; sodA-based phylogenetic analyses and comparisons of overall genome relatedness revealed potential plasticity and diversity. The AMR rates of these SBSEC against erythromycin, clindamycin, and tetracycline were relatively lower than those of other SBSEC isolates of a clinical origin. An investigation of the ARGs against those antimicrobials indicated that tetracycline resistance of SBSECs generally correlated with the presence of tet(M)-possessing Tn916-like transposon. However, no correlation between the presence of ARGs and phenotypic resistance to erythromycin and clindamycin was observed. Although a limited number of animals and their SBSEC isolates were examined, this study provides insights into the potential intraspecies biodiversity of ruminant-origin SBSEC and the current status on antimicrobial resistance of the bacteria in the Korean livestock industry.

scholarly journals Current Status and Prospects of Lignocellulosic Butanol as a Road Transportation Fuel in Indonesia: A Review

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dieni Mansur ◽  
Syahrul Aiman
Keyword(s):  
Chemical Properties ◽  
Current Status ◽  
Road Transportation ◽  
Transportation Fuel ◽  
Production Scale ◽  
Waste Gas ◽  
Petroleum Resources ◽  
The Government ◽  
Physical And Chemical ◽  
And Chemical Properties

An increase in the demand for fuel, depleting petroleum resources, and enhancing for a better atmospheric are significant reasons to drive countries competing to find out petroleum fuel alternatives. Bio-alcohol, especially ethanol (C2H5OH) and butanol (C4H9OH), are considered by experts as potential substances for future fuel, especially for road transportation fuel. Compared with ethanol, the physical and chemical properties of butanol are close to gasoline. Hence the studies of butanol as a fuel alternative for transportation were conducted comprehensively in several countries. Butanol could derive from various resources such as petroleum-derived products, lignocellulosic biomass, food crops, microalgae, or waste gas from specific manufacturing industries. This study reviewed the advancement of lignocellulosic butanol production technology and challenges for increasing production scale. Besides that, it is also considered local R&D activities on biobutanol and its results and evolution of the government plan and regulation to utilize Alcohol as a transportation fuel.  

scholarly journals Case Study on the Efficiency of Recycling Companies’ Waste Paper Collection Stations in Japan

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (20) ◽  
pp. 11536
Author(s):  
Xiaoyue Liu ◽  
Jeongsoo Yu ◽  
Kazuaki Okubo ◽  
Masahiro Sato ◽  
Toshiaki Aoki
Keyword(s):  
Collection Efficiency ◽  
Waste Paper ◽  
Current Status ◽  
Collection System ◽  
Trade Area ◽  
Operational Characteristics ◽  
The Government ◽  
Families With Children

Each year, a large amount of waste paper (WP) is generated in Japan, and due to the change in lifestyle with the COVID-19 pandemic, the WP collection and recycling system in Japan faces new challenges. Although the government of Japan has installed WP collection systems, the efficiency of these traditional WP collection systems is too low, and this causes inconvenience to the governments, residents, and other stakeholders. On the other hand, some recycling companies in Japan are trying to establish a nontraditional WP collection system by setting their own WP collection stations in cooperative supermarkets. Yet, the efficiency of this new system has not been clarified. This research aims to investigate the current status, operational characteristics, and the role of recycling companies’ WP collection stations in the Japanese WP collection system. By performing trade area analysis and stepwise OLS regression, this research will evaluate WP collection stations’ efficiency. Moreover, this research will also discuss how the new WP collection system improves WP collection efficiency and residents’ convenience. The results show that WP collection stations efficiency is particularly high in large supermarkets with many parking spaces and long business hours, as well as in areas with many families with children. Recycling companies’ WP collection system could create a system, which can satisfy resident, government, and recycling company interests at the same time.

scholarly journals Working of Puffed Rice Units

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 45-52
Author(s):  
Harish Tigari ◽  
H C Ramesh
Keyword(s):  
Secondary Data ◽  
Annual Reports ◽  
Current Status ◽  
Primary Data ◽  
Human Society ◽  
Poverty Eradication ◽  
Employment Opportunities ◽  
Fundamental Factor ◽  
Puffed Rice ◽  
The Government

Industrialization is a progressive measure that creates social and economic change by transforming human society from pre-industrialization to industrial era; Industrialization plays a predominant role in the development of the economy, acts as a basic fundamental factor that is influenced by the growth prospects of the economy of a country. The prominence of industrialization creates employment opportunities, balancing the regional development living and poverty eradication, etc. In this context, the unorganized sector acts as a factory for entrepreneurship and self-employment opportunities as well as a tool for poverty eradication. So the present study attempts to analyze the working of puffed rice units in the Davangere region. These industries are providing various employment opportunities to the poor and illiterate people. Because these are labor-intensive industries. The present study is based on the puffed rice workers and their working conditions and environment. In malebennur town there are more than 50 puffed rice industries are working. In the study area, people depend on the making of puffed rice for their livelihood. The main purpose of the study is to know about the current status, growth, and development of the puffed rice units and also discuss the government initiative in the development of an unorganized puffed rice cluster in Davangere. The study is based on primary data with field survey and secondary data, which includes different reference books, journals, research papers, seminar proceedings, articles, and government publications, annual reports, etc.

scholarly journals How Company Manage Stakeholder Engagement For Sustainable Tourism Development In Indonesia?

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 237
Author(s):  
Gayatri Atmadi
Keyword(s):  
Digital Media ◽  
Stakeholder Engagement ◽  
Mineral Water ◽  
Sustainable Tourism ◽  
Tourism Development ◽  
Tourism Industry ◽  
Plastic Waste ◽  
Mountain Areas ◽  
Sustainable Tourism Development ◽  
The Government

The background of this research is that in the past, the increasing trend of mountain climbing in Indonesia has reportedly raised environmental problems, especially regarding the tremendous volume of rubbish left behind mountain climbers.  Plastic waste threatens the Indonesia tourism industry in mountain areas. The government stated that the continuously increasing plastic waste threatens to ruin Indonesia's tourism sector. The mineral water industry is one of the government's primary focuses in its plastic waste reduction. As Indonesia's largest plastic-bottled mineral water brand, Aqua is pledging to remove more plastic from the environment than it uses by 2025. The purpose of the research is to get a descriptive analysis of how the company can manage its stakeholder engagement for reducing plastic waste in Indonesia. This research employed a qualitative narrative analysis method with a case study around Aqua’s efforts for reducing plastic waste in Indonesia and data collected from digital media. The principal results of the research show that Aqua made good collaboration between the Trashbag Community Indonesia, The Ministry of Environment and Forestry, and media journalists on the program “Sapujagad 2017" by removing 5 tons of rubbish from Indonesia's mountains. In conclusion, a successful company must do stakeholder engagement and corporate social responsibility activities for supporting sustainable tourism development in Indonesia.

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