Risk reduction strategies in Branchipus schaefferi (Crustacea: Anostraca: Branchiopoda) as adaptation to a variable environment

Mud from a temporary pool in Morocco was sequentially inundated and dried at the laboratory to follow the life history of Branchipus schaefferi. Once adult, each female was coupled to a male in order to study their life history and reproduction. The average percentage of hatching decreased during the successive inundations, presumably as an adaptation to the unpredictability of the habitat. However, there was no indication that the offspring of the first inundation would preferentially hatch during their first inundation too, neither was there any such preference in the offspring of the delayed hatchings. Each female reduced risk by spreading hatching time of her resting eggs over consecutive inundations. Eggs did not hatch all at the same moment, reducing the chance that a female's entire offspring would die before reaching maturity if the pool would dry out too soon. There was a significant difference between the mean value of the number of resting eggs produced by the females from a large clutch size, and those produced by females from a small clutch size. There thus appears to be a genetic base for the clutch size of females

Independent associations between sedentary time, moderate-to-vigorous physical activity, cardiorespiratory fitness and cardio-metabolic health : a cross-sectional study

We aimed to study the independent associations of sedentary time (ST), moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA), and objectively measured cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) with clustered cardio-metabolic risk and its individual components (waist circumference, fasting glucose, HDL-cholesterol, triglycerides and blood pressure). We also investigated whether any associations between MVPA or ST and clustered cardio-metabolic risk were mediated by CRF. MVPA, ST, CRF and individual cardio-metabolic components were measured in a population-based sample of 341 adults (age 53.8 +/- 8.9 years; 61% men) between 2012 and 2014. MVPA and ST were measured with the SenseWear pro 3 Armband and CRF was measured with a maximal exercise test. Multiple linear regression models and the product of coefficients method were used to examine independent associations and mediation effects, respectively. Results showed that low MVPA and low CRF were associated with a higher clustered cardio-metabolic risk (beta = -0.26 and beta = -0.43, both p<0.001, respectively). CRF explained 73% of the variance in the association between MVPA and clustered cardio-metabolic risk and attenuated this association to non-significance. After mutual adjustment for MVPA and ST, CRF was the most important risk factor for a higher clustered cardio-metabolic risk (beta = -0.39, p<0.001). In conclusion, because of the mediating role of CRF, lifestyle-interventions need to be feasible yet challenging enough to lead to increases in CRF to improve someone's cardio-metabolic health

Financial Globalization and Instability in the Early 21st Century

This article provides the figures of the volatility of economic growth in poor and rich countries and analyzes it. The conclusion is that while volatility has declined almost everywhere in advanced countries, the picture is much more mixed in developing countries. This article then examines the case of India, where GDP volatility has been declining for the last twenty years. The figures show that by moving away from an agricultural economy, the Indian economy has stabilized. Increased financial depth and the favorable evolution of the terms of trade had a similar effect. Finally, this article examines the relationship between economic instability and insecurity at the global level

The Euro and European Identity

With the euro, european citizens have a concrete symbol of their belonging to a same community. But Europe always belongs to the field of resources, for most of the political authorities, national interest. This article contains some thoughts and answers to the following questions: can a euro contribute to the building of a european identity

The Euro and European Identity

With the euro, european citizens have a concrete symbol of their belonging to a same community. But Europe always belongs to the field of resources, for most of the political authorities, national interest. This article contains some thoughts and answers to the following questions: can a euro contribute to the building of a european identity

Longitudinal study on the association between three dietary indices, anthropometric parameters and blood lipids

Background: From a health promotion perspective, the use of dietary indices is preferred above single nutrients and foods to evaluate diet quality. Longitudinal research about the association between dietary indices and respectively anthropometric parameters and blood lipids is lacking. The aim of this study was to investigate the longitudinal association between three dietary indices (Healthy Eating Index-2010 (HEI), Mediterranean Diet Score (MDS) and Diet Quality Index (DQI)) and respectively anthropometric parameters and blood lipids. Methods: A three day diet record was completed by 373 men and 197 women in 2002-2004 and 2012-2014. HEI, MDS and DQI were calculated. Waist circumference (WC) and Body Mass Index (BMI) were used as anthropometric parameters. A linear regression analysis was performed to investigate associations between changes in dietary indices and changes in respectively anthropometric parameters and blood lipids, adjusted for potential confounders. Results: Only in men an increase in all three dietary indices was associated with a decrease in WC and BMI in the non-adjusted analysis and for HEI and DQI also in the adjusted analysis. No longitudinal associations were found between dietary indices and blood lipids both in men and women. Conclusions: Only few associations were found between dietary indices and anthropometric parameters, whilst no associations were found with blood lipids. An increase in dietary indices was associated with an improvement in anthropometric parameters only in men. As this is the first study investigating associations between changes in dietary indices and changes in respectively anthropometric parameters and blood lipids, further research is needed to evaluate these possible associations

On the occurrence of Lepidurus apus (Linnaeus, 1758) (Crustacea, Notostraca) from Iran

The occurrence of Lepidurus apus in Iran is reported for the first time. this species was found in Aigher goli located in the mountains area, east Azerbaijan province (North east, Iran). details on biogeography, ecology and morphology of this species are provided