Life Tables for the Experimental Population Phenacoccus solenopsis Tinsley at Different Temperatures

[Objective] The study was to investigate the effect of temperature on pop- ulation dynamics of Phenacoccus solenopsis Tinsley, so as to providing references for the control and prevention of this pest. [Method] The experimental populations were kept in laboratory and fed on cotton plants, and the major parameters of the population were recorded. [Result] By the construction of age specific life tables and reproductive life tables for the P. solenopsis experimental population at 24, 27, 30 ~C, more than 10 parameters were obtained, including mean generation time, survival rates of different stages and sexes, life expectancy, spawning period, fecundity amount per female, sexual ratio, net reproductive rate, intrinsic increase rate, finite increase rate, population trend index, curve of survival rate, and curve of daily fe- male oviposition, which revealed the effect of temperature on growth and develop- ment, life expectancy and fecundities of P. solenopsis. [Conclusion] The reproductive potential of the P. solenopsis population is very great at suitable temperature, making it easy to outbreak. The research provided scientific basis for population dynam- ics investigation, predication and integrated control of P. solenopsis.

Life Table of Natural Population of Gastrolina depressa

[Objective]The paper was to understand the population development regularity of Gastrolina depressa in natural environment in Guizhou Province.[Method]The population dynamics of G.depressa was studied by establishing life table of natural population of G.depressa via field observation and calculating dynamic trend index of population.[Result]The mortality rates in egg stage,pupal stage and adult stage accounted for 26.42%,10.96%and 8.22%of the total mortality rate,respectively.The mortality rate in larval stage was the highest,accounting for 54.40%of the total mortality rate,higher than the total mortality rate in the other three stages.The population dynamic trend index I=9.25,I>1 indicated that the population showed an upward trend.[Conclusion]Under the natural conditions,the population of G.depressa shows upward trend,and human intervention is needed to control the population.The larval stage is the weak stage of the insect,which is the best time to control the insect.

Effects of temperatures on the development and reproduction of the armyworm, Mythimna roseilinea: Analysis using an age-stage, two-sex life table

The armyworm Mythimna roseilinea（Walker） is a major pest of grain crops in South China. So far little is known about its basic biology and ecology, making prediction of population dynamics difficult. This study examined the relationships of individual development and population growth with temperature based on an age-stage, two-sex life table of M. roseilinea reared on maize in the laboratory at 18, 21, 24, 27 and 30℃. The highest values of net reproductive rate（R_0） and fecundity were observed at 21 and 24℃, respectively. Both the intrinsic rate of increase（r） and finite rate of increase（λ） increased significantly and mean generation time（T） decreased significantly with increasing temperature. M. roseilinea was able to develop, survive and lay eggs at all temperature regimes tested. Development rates of the egg, larval, pupal, as well as the whole pre-oviposition stages had a positive linear relationship with temperature. The calculated development threshold temperatures of egg, larval, pupal, pre-oviposition and total pre-oviposition stages were 13.29, 8.39, 14.35, 7.42, and 12.24℃, respectively, and their effective accumulated temperatures were 63.59, 445.00, 211.11, 89.02, and 698.95 degree-days, respectively. These results provide insight into temperature-based phenology and population ecology of this insect pest and will allow population prediction and management available in the field.

THE POSSIBILITY ANALYSIS OF NATURAL POPLAR-BIRCH FOREST RECOVERY TO BROAD-LEAF KOREAN PINE FOREST THROUGH THE METHOD OF LIFE TABLE IN THE XIOAXING'AN MOUNTAINS

The basic principle of life table method is deseribed, and the method of tree height instead of tree age in static life table is suggested, and it is also discussed that the possibility of natural poplar -birch forest recover to broad-leaf Korean pine forest on low pitches in the Xiaoxing'an Mountains by this method. If there is no particular situation, Korean pines after high than 5m under natural Poplar-birch forest will basically survive and make their way into dominant callopy accompanied by climax broad-leaf species.

Effects of Aschersonia aleyrodis on the life table and demographic parameters of Bemisia tabaci

The present study reports the sublethal effects of the entomopathogenic fungus, Aschersonia aleyrodis（Webber） on Bemisia tabaci（Gennadius）（Homoptera： Aleyrodidae）. A fungal suspension of A. aleyrodis isolate Aa005 containing 1×107 conidia mL^-1 was sprayed against B. tabaci on eggplant leaves under greenhouse conditions. The effects of fungal application on survival as well as life table parameters of the whitefly were observed at different post inoculation periods. The results indicated that A. aleyrodis can significantly affect the survival of 1st, 2nd, and 3rd nymphal instars of B. tabaci. Developmental periods of different instar nymphs were not affected by fungal application. A. aleyrodis spores persisted well and significantly affected the survivorship of young instar nymphs of B. tabaci at different post incubation periods. Life table results suggested that A. aleyrodis has no impact on general fecundity and longevity of B. tabaci. When the pathogen was exposed to the open environment and maintained for a relatively longer period, a reduction in the reproductive rate and intrinsic rate of increase was caused by the fungal spores, though the sublethal effects were not as good as the control treatment. The results suggest that the ability of spores to suppress an increase in whitefly population persists well after incubation of spores to the external environment（up to 9 days）.

Quality of life and influencing factors between local and itinerant populations during the COVID-19 pandemic

Objective:To determine the difference in quality of life and its influencing factors between local and itinerant populations in Nanjing during COVID-19.Methods:The quality of life questionnaire,which was based on the Brief Scale of WHO Quality of Life and redesigned by the research group,was used to randomly investigate 1150 people in 5 districts of Nanjing.Results:A total of 1112 valid questionnaires were collected(local population,n=558;itinerant population,n=554).The quality of life of the itinerant population was significantly lower than the local population.The itinerant population scores in physiology,psychology,social relationships,and environment were lower than the local population(all P values<0.05).COVID-19 had a greater impact on the itinerant population than on the local population,especially in medical assistance,enjoyment of life,and interpersonal relationships(all P values<0.05).Conclusion:The itinerant population had a lower quality of life than that of the local population during the prevention and control pandemic of COVID-19,thus more social support and help is warranted.

Positive Stable Frailty Approach in the Construction of Dependence Life-Tables

Dependence may arise in insurance when the insureds are clustered into groups e.g. joint-life annuities. This dependence may be produced by sharing a common risk acting on mortality of members of the group. Various dependence models have been considered in literature; however, the focus has been on either the lower-tail dependence alone or upper-tail dependence alone. This article implements the frailty dependence approach to life insurance problems where most applications have been within medical setting. Our strategy is to use the conditional independence assumption given an observed association measure in a positive stable frailty approach to account for both lower and upper-tail dependence. The model is calibrated on the association of Kenyan insurers 2010 male and female published rates. The positive stable model is then proposed to construct dependence life-tables and generate life annuity payment streams in the competitive Kenyan market.

Characteristics and dynamics analysis of Populus euphratica populations in the middle reaches of Tarim River

Populus euphratica Oliv. is widely distributed along the Tarim River. Maintaining stability of P. euphratica population is important to local development. This study explored the static life table, survivorship curves and four function curves (survival rate, cumulative mortality rate, mortality density, and hazard rate), and development index of P. euphratica population in the middle reaches of Tarim River. The results indicated that the age structure of P. euphratica population belonged to positive pyramidal type, which meant young age-class individuals occupied most populations. The number ofⅠ-Ⅱage classes accounted for 66.2% of whole population, and this indicated that there were abundant subsequent seedlings resources to support the growth of P. euphratica population in the middle reaches of Tarim River. The survivorship curve of P. euphratica belonged to the Deevey Ⅲ (concave-type) and the development index was 47.72%. Four function curves revealed that the individuals of P. euphratica sharply decreased at the initial stage and then leveled off at the late stage of survival curve. Time sequence prediction models predicted that the number of midlife individuals would increase in future 10, 20, 30 years, and P. euphratica population grew steadily as a result of rich saplings.

Fitness of fall armyworm,Spodoptera frugiperda to three solanaceous vegetables

The fall armyworm(FAW),Spodoptera frugiperda Smith(Lepidoptera:Noctuidae)is an important agricultural pest that invaded China in the middle of December 2018.As a polyphagous pest,FAW is identified as a serious threat to agricultural production and food security in China.Pepper(Capsicum annuum L.),tomato(Solanum lycopersicum Mill.)and eggplant(Solanum melongena L.)are three of dominant solanaceous vegetables of this country.To our knowledge,the effects of these plants on the performances of FAW have not been well studied.In this study we assessed the fitness of this pest to these three plants.Results showed that FAW can complete its life cycle when fed with tomato and pepper,but not on eggplant.The population parameters of FAW fed with maize(Zea mays L.)and the three solanaceous vegetables were compared using the age-stage,two-sex life table method.Developmental duration was significantly different in the larval stage,but not in the pupae stage.FAW fed with pepper had the longest pre-adult period(41.73 d)and the lightest pupal weight(0.1134 g);the survival rate was lower than FAW fed with tomato.Significant differences were observed in the mean fecundity of female,with the highest(943.95 eggs)laid by FAW fed with tomato.FAW had the shortest mean generation time(T),the highest intrinsic rate of increase(r)and finite rate of increase(λ)on maize,and the highest net reproductive rate(R_(0))on tomato.Overall,FAW fitness on the three solanaceous vegetables was:tomato>pepper>eggplant.This study provides the foundation for further assessment of FAW risk to solanaceous vegetables and for establishing corresponding control strategies in China.

Early life migration and population discrimination of the small yellow croaker Larimichthys polyactis from the Yellow Sea: inferences from otolith Sr/Ca ratios

The small yellow croaker Larimichthys polyactis is a benthic marine fish species of high ecological and commercial importance and is widely distributed in the northwestern Pacifi c Ocean,especially in the Chinese coastal waters of the Bohai,Yellow,and East China Seas.As a highly migratory species,the whole life migration of L.polyactis has been intensively studied.However,knowledge about its early life migration is scarce,and population divisions are inconsistent,limiting the ability of fishery scientists and administrators to evaluate the design and potential benefits of thorough conservation and resource-management strategies.In the present study,otolith Sr/Ca was analyzed to investigate the early migratory patterns and discriminate the populations of L.polyactis in the Yellow Sea,including two spawning groups and one overwintering group.The variation in Sr/Ca ratios of ontogenetic growth zones,including the nucleus(N),larval(L),metamorphosis(M),juvenile(J),and edge(E)zones,was measured by electron probe microanalysis.The variation in Sr/Ca ratios in early developmental growth zones was generally characterized by an evident downward trend from the N to J zone,which suggests that the early migratory pattern of L.polyactis might be from inshore to nearshore water.Canonical discriminant analysis,based on the otolith Sr/Ca ratios of the N,L,M,and J zones,allowed the successful discrimination of the two populations,namely,the northern and southern Yellow Sea groups,whose diff erences were mainly reflected in the L and J zones.Compared with previous studies,the traditional geographic boundaries(34°N)separating these two populations might be moving northward.The application of otolith Sr/Ca ratios based on ontogenetic stage could improve our understanding of the migration and population discrimination of L.polyactis from the Yellow Sea.

Safety and Efficacy of a Proprietary Undenatured Beta-Glucan on Different Human Populations

After proving safety in animal and human models, a series of clinical trials were conducted to examine the administration of 1 mg/mL bid of an undenatured beta-glucan on the immune system;and on self-perceived effects on subjects’ quality of life (QoL) using a Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). In one study, a subject population that was self-perceived to be fatigued was administered an undetaured beta-glucan, to determine if this supplementation affected their quality-of-life as a result of an increased immune system response. 44 subjects were administered 1 mg/mL bid of the undenatured beta-glucan (Lentinex®) for four weeks. Prior to the beginning of the administration, and following the four-week administration period, the subjects were asked to fill out a quality-of-life VAS questionnaire. The changes in the two questionnaires revealed differences that occurred as a result of the beta-glucan administration. More than 75% of the subjects scored “better” (more than 1 cm on the VAS) with regard to feeling in a good mood, and feeling rested. More than 60% increased their energy and reduced their tiredness and exhaustion, and 70% felt less stressed. In a second study, subjects aged 40 years and older, believed to be in good general health, seeking therapy for tiredness/exhaustion/fatigue or similar conditions (neurasthenia) which were administered 1 mg/mL bid Lentinex®. The overall results indicated that the subjects felt significantly better (mean VAS = 5.91) after the last week of the study compared to how they felt initially (VAS = 4.73) (p < 0.0001). A statistically significant (p < 0.0001) change in distribution favoring a better situation after 4 weeks intake of supplement, with a remarkable fall in number of subjects scoring below normal (from 61.4% to 18.2%) accompanied by a significant shift in subjects feeling above normal, from 9.2% to 50.0%. These clinical studies, and others, showed that Lentinex® administration improved the perceived quality-of-life of subjects whose immune system was probably not functioning at optimal levels.

Identification of life habits factors as risk for gastritis and colitis occurrence in a mestizo population of Chabeklumil, Chiapas, México

Aim: Gastric diseases are a recent trend in morbidity in México. We aimed to identify most frequent life habits factors as risk for gastritis and colitis occurrence, in a Mexican mestizo population in Chabeklumil, Chiapas. Population: This study was observational, descriptive, transversal and prospective;346 questionnaires were applied to individuals of both genders from 11 years of age, with low income and socio-economic status, after they signed the informed consent. An individual file was created by the nurses in Chabeklumil. The predominant gender in the population was female (56.1%), with a distribution of 166 among adulthood (19 - 59 years of age);among males (43.9%), 133 included adults. Results: We identified the following environmental risk factors to develop gastritis and colitis: long periods of daily fasting > consumption of irritant food and drink > stress, in females;in contrast, males reported alcohol and tobacco consumption > irritant food and drink > long periods of daily fasting > stress. We found statistical differences (P < 0.05) in risk factors between females and males, in drugs and alcohol consumption, fasting, and stress, but not in consumption of irritant foods, nor in colitis and gastritis prevalence. Conclusions: Females are most affected by life habits risk factors for gastritis/colitis, which occurs mainly due to lifestyle and “macho” culture, since women are precluded of a better living standard, they work hard in the field, and start early in the day without consuming a meal, which they eat late in the day once arriving home. People in Chabeklumil eat/drink a lot of irritant food like hot pepper and coffee, which damage the gastrointestinal system leading to gastritis and colitis. Furthermore, men started to consume drugs at early ages, a condition also involved in developing gastritis.

Population Growth,Available Resources,and Quality of Life:China’s Post-Reform Economic Development

Two opposing intellectual traditions and their contem-porary developments regarding the relations among population, available resources, and quality of life as reflected in economic growth are reviewed. What is at issue is whether population growth is detrimental to or beneficial for economic development. Neither of the extreme views gives a complete picture of the interplay among population, resources, and quality of life. Following previous literature on the topic, this paper establishes a more balanced approach that considers the function linking population and quality of life not constant but variable and regards the limitedness of resources as not absolute but relative to regions and societies. The proposed approach is more flexible in better explaining the relation between population and economic growth. China is examined as a case in point to shed light on the interaction of population growth, economic development, and available resources, and its recent post-economic reform experiences showcase the appropriateness of the synthetic approach.

Effects of life-history components on population dynamics of the rare endangered plant <i>Davidia involucrata</i>

In order to estimate the most effect stage and process on population growth and effective conserve the rare endangered plant Davidia involucrata, we analyzed the dynamics and the contributions of life-history components on population dynamics based on Lefkovitch matrix model and sensitivity analysis. The life cycle of Davidia involucrata was divided into six stages (seed, seedling, juvenile, immature, early adult and late adult) based on the species characteristics and published literature data, the survival rates in each life-history stage were simulated using a static life table, and the fecundity of each stage was determined according to sample information. The results showed that the structure of the observed population was not ideal, and the numbers of seedlings and coppice shoots was similar. The population growth rate was influenced largely by individual growth process, and asexual reproduction made a larger contribution to population growth than sexual reproduction. However, sexual reproduction was more important than asexual reproduction, because most asexual reproducing individuals (the coppice shoots) were derived mainly from human destruction (e.g. felling trees). The most important stage was stage V (late adult), associated with seed production and germination. Therefore, conservation of Davidia involucrata populations should focus on stage V and sexual reproduction, in order to improve the seed production and germination rate, and to promote population stability and development.

The Impacts of Lower Population Growth on the Quality of Life and Economic Development：China＇s Experience

China is the most populous country in the world.The total Population on the mainland of China has in-creased from 540 million in 1949 to 1.18 billion by the end of 1993.China adopted a population policy by namc of"controlling population growth and im-proving the quality of the human resources',which has been deeply rooted in the hearts of the Chinese pcoplc.The overw helming majority of the Chinese people have recognized the necessity for implementing the family planning programme not only for the sustained devel-opment of the country,but also for the benefits of their own familie cs.

Population,Environment Dynamics,Poverty and Quality of Life in China

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Epidemiological, Clinical Aspects and Factors Associated with Typical Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease in the General Population of Parakou, Republic of Benin

Introduction: Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a benign and chronic disease that can impair the quality of life. Objective: To study the epidemiological, clinical aspects and factors associated with typical GERD in the general population of Parakou in the Republic of Benin. Methods: This was a descriptive and analytical cross-sectional study with prospective data collection which took place from May 1, 2019 to June 30, 2019. The study population consisted of any subject aged at least 15 years and living in Parakou. Subjects aged at least 15 years, present on the day of the survey and having given their free and informed verbal consent were included. The Short form of QRS®(Reflux-Qual Short form) questionnaire and the “Hospital Anxiety and Depression” score were used to assess the quality of life and anxiety/depression, respectively. The sampling was probabilistic through a 2-stage cluster sampling. The variable of interest was the presence of GERD. Results: Out of 390 subjects surveyed, 28 had symptoms of typical GERD, representing a prevalence of 7.18%. The average age of these subjects was 27.11 ± 7.88 years. Fifteen subjects (53.57%) were male, giving a sex ratio of 1.15. Fourteen (50%) had a secondary level of education, 12 (42.86%) were pupils/students, 18 (64.29%) were single. The monthly income of 22 subjects (78.57%) was lower than the guaranteed interprofessional minimum wage (40,000 FCFA). The average duration of progression of symptoms was 15.89 ± 4.97 months. Symptoms occurred less than twice a week in 22 subjects (78.57%). The clinical manifestations were both diurnal and nocturnal in 12 subjects (42.86%). None of the 28 subjects with GERD had clinical warning signs. Asthma, diabetes, consumption of high fat or spice foods, carbonated drinks, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, alcoholic beverages and tobacco were statistically associated with the occurrence of GERD. Each of the 28 subjects had at least one associated factor. A significant impair in quality of life was observed in 27 patients (96.43%). Conclusion: Typical GERD is relatively common in the general population of Parakou in the Republic of Benin. It often affects young males. Among the risk factors identified, the most common are carbonated drinks, spicy meals and diabetes. GERD significantly impairs quality of life. Raising awareness about the disease and its associated factors is necessary among the general population.

Age-stage, two-sex life tables of Bactrocera cucurbitae （Coquillett） （Diptera： Tephritidae） with a discussion on the problem of applying female age-specific life tables to insect populations

Age-stage, two-sex life tables of the melon fly, Bactrocera cucurbitae （Coquil- let-t） （Diptera： Tephritidae）, reared on cucumber （Cucumis sativus L.）, sponge gourd （Luffa cylindrica Roem） and a carrot medium （mashed Daucus carota L. mixed with sucrose and yeast hydrolysate） were constructed under laboratory conditions at 25 4- loc, 65% 4- 0.5% relative humidity, and a photoperiod 12 ： 12h （L ： D）. The intrinsic rates of increase of B. cucurbitae were 0.144 6, 0.141 2 and 0.068 8 days on cucumber, sponge gourd, and carrot medium, respectively. The highest net reproduction rate was 172 offspring per fly reared on sponge gourd. The mean generation times ofB. cucurbitae ranged from 34 days reared on cucumber to 56 days reared on carrot medium. The life history raw data was analyzed using the traditional female age-specific life table and compared to results obtained using the age-stage, two-sex life table. When the age-specific female life table is applied to an age-stage-structured two-sex population, survival and fecundity curves will be improperly manipulated due to an inability to include variation in preadult development time. We discussed different interpretations of the relationship between the net reproductive rate and the intrinsic rate of increase to clarify possible misunderstanding in the literature.

Evaluating the Quality of Case-control Studies involving the Association between Tobacco Exposure and Diseases in a Chinese Population based on the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale and Post-hoc Power

According to the 2017 Global Burden of Disease Study,smoking is among the four leading risk factors contributing to deaths and disability-adjusted life years(DALYs)in China.In the past 20 years,there has been a substantial increase in the number of studies focusing on the association between tobacco exposure and disease.

Changes in the population structure of Calanus sinicus during summer–autumn in the southern Yellow Sea

Calanus sinicus is a calanoid copepod widely distributed in coastal waters of China and Japan, and oversummering strategies may have major impacts on their population dynamics which in turn affect local marine food web structure. The abundance, stage composition, and sex composition of the planktonic copepod C. sinicus were studied from August to October 2002 in the southern Yellow Sea to understand how its population recovers from the over-summering state. Results showed that C. sinicus had low reproduction in August due to high temperature, except in waters near the Cheju Island with rich food and moderate bottom temperature, but the reproduction rates here decreased in September–October as food availability declined. When temperature dropped in September–October, C. sinicus actively propagated in coastal shallow waters. However, reproduction rates of C. sinicus individuals inhabiting the Yellow Sea Cold Water Mass(YSCWM) remained low during the three months of the study. The percentage of C. sinicus females was high during the reproductive period, which suggests that the sex composition of adult C. sinicus may reflect whether or not the population is in the reproductive mode.Numerous fifth copepodite stage(CV) C. sinicus aggregated in the YSCWM in a suspended developmental stage during the three months of this study, and they potentially served as the parental individuals for population development when conditions became optimal for reproduction later in the year.