External morphology of the first and second instars of Lecanodiaspis tingtunensis (Coccoidea: Lecanodiaspididae)

The first and second instars of Lecanodiaspis tingtunensis are described and illustrated. First instars are distinguished from other species of Lecanodiaspis by the arrangement of dorsal 8-shaped pores in six complete longitudinal rows and a partial row in the thoracic region and the number of labial, anal plate, and spiracular setae. Second instars are dimorphic with males possessing well developed 5-segmented legs, dorsal tubular ducts, and long hair-like setae on the venter between the antennae and on the abdominal segments. Females have fewer 8-shaped pores in transverse rows on the dorsum, as well as legs reduced to stubs and only one pair of hair-like medial setae on the venter

Taxonomic status of Bambusaspis miliaris : B. robusta, and B. pseudomiliaris (Hemiptera: Coccoidea: Asterolecaniidae)

Based on an assessment of 50 morphological characters from 110 specimens of Bambusaspis miliaris (BoisduvalI869), B. robusta (Green 1908), andB. pseudomiliaris (Green 1922) from different geographic regions around the world, we conclude that these specimens represent the same species. Therefore, the taxa B. robusta and B. pseudomiliaris are considered junior subjective synonyms of B. miliaris

External morphology of the first and second instars of \u3ci\u3eLecanodiaspis tingtunensis\u3c/i\u3e (Coccoidea: Lecanodiaspididae)

The first and second instars of Lecanodiaspis tingtunensis are described and illustrated. First instars are distinguished from other species of Lecanodiaspis by the arrangement of dorsal 8-shaped pores in six complete longitudinal rows and a partial row in the thoracic region and the number of labial, anal plate, and spiracular setae. Second instars are dimorphic with males possessing well developed 5-segmented legs, dorsal tubular ducts, and long hair-like setae on the venter between the antennae and on the abdominal segments. Females have fewer 8-shaped pores in transverse rows on the dorsum, as well as legs reduced to stubs and only one pair of hair-like medial setae on the venter

Taxonomic Status of \u3ci\u3eBambusaspis miliaris\u3c/i\u3e, \u3ci\u3eB. robusta\u3c/i\u3e, and \u3ci\u3eB. pseudomiliaris\u3c/i\u3e (Hemiptera: Coccoidea: Asterolecaniidae)

Based on an assessment of 50 morphological characters from 110 specimens of Bambusaspis miliaris (Boisduval 1869), B. robusta (Green 1908), and B. pseudomiliaris (Green 1922) from different geographic regions around the world, we conclude that these specimens represent the same species. Therefore, the taxa B. robusta and B. pseudomiliaris are considered junior subjective synonyms of B. miliaris

Taxonomic Status of \u3ci\u3eBambusaspis miliaris\u3c/i\u3e, \u3ci\u3eB. robusta\u3c/i\u3e, and \u3ci\u3eB. pseudomiliaris\u3c/i\u3e (Hemiptera: Coccoidea: Asterolecaniidae)

Based on an assessment of 50 morphological characters from 110 specimens of Bambusaspis miliaris (Boisduval 1869), B. robusta (Green 1908), and B. pseudomiliaris (Green 1922) from different geographic regions around the world, we conclude that these specimens represent the same species. Therefore, the taxa B. robusta and B. pseudomiliaris are considered junior subjective synonyms of B. miliaris

Nitrogen Fixation and Seeding Rates of Common vs. Hairy Vetch for Interseeding Into Established Switchgrass Stands

Interest in alternatives to synthetic nitrogen (N) fertilizer sources for switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) production, such as interseeding with N- fixing legumes continues to increase. Common vetch (Vicia sativa) is a N-fixing legume that occurs naturally throughout the U.S. and has less hard seed than hairy vetch (Vicia villosa), making it potentially less invasive, and it may fix N at similar rates to that of hairy vetch. However, little data exist to substantiate this. In this study, N-fixation rates via the N-difference method were determined to be 59.3 and 43.3 kg N ha-1 for common and hairy vetch, respectively, when seeded at 6.7 kg ha-1. At these rates, neither common nor hairy vetch significantly affected switchgrass yields. Based on the N-fixation rates and vetch plant masses, we estimate that minimum seeding rates of 7.6 and 10.4 kg PLS ha-1 of common and hairy vetch, respectively are required to obtain plant stands needed to fix the current recommended rate of N for switchgrass biomass production

Density of Healthcare Providers and Patient Outcomes: Evidence from a Nationally Representative Multi-Site HIV Treatment Program in Uganda

This study examined the association between density of healthcare providers and patient outcomes using a large nationally representative cohort of patients receiving combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) in Uganda.Objective: We examined the association between density of healthcare providers and patient outcomes using a large nationally representative cohort of patients receiving combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) in Uganda. Design: We obtained data from The AIDS Support Organization (TASO) in Uganda. Patients 18 years of age and older who initiated cART at TASO between 2004 and 2008 contributed to this analysis. The number of healthcare providers per 100 patients, the number of patients lost to follow-up per 100 person years and number of deaths per 100 person years were calculated. Spearman correlation was used to identify associations between patient loss to follow-up and mortality with the healthcare provider-patient ratios. Results: We found no significant associations between the number of patients lost to follow-up and physicians (p = 0.45), nurses (p = 0.93), clinical officers (p = 0.80), field officers (p = 0.56), and healthcare providers overall (p = 0.83). Similarly, no significant associations were observed between mortality and physicians (p = 0.65), nurses (p = 0.49), clinical officers (p = 0.73), field officers (p = 0.78), and healthcare providers overall (p = 0.73). Conclusions: Patient outcomes, as measured by loss to follow-up and mortality, were not significantly associated with the number of doctors, nurses, clinical officers, field officers, or healthcare providers overall. This may suggest that that other factors, such as the presence of volunteer patient supporters or broader political or socioeconomic influences, may be more closely associated with outcomes of care among patients on cART in Uganda

Introducing Quantum-Like Influence Diagrams for Violations of the Sure Thing Principle

It is the focus of this work to extend and study the previously proposed quantum-like Bayesian networks to deal with decision-making scenarios by incorporating the notion of maximum expected utility in influence diagrams. The general idea is to take advantage of the quantum interference terms produced in the quantum-like Bayesian Network to influence the probabilities used to compute the expected utility of some action. This way, we are not proposing a new type of expected utility hypothesis. On the contrary, we are keeping it under its classical definition. We are only incorporating it as an extension of a probabilistic graphical model in a compact graphical representation called an influence diagram in which the utility function depends on the probabilistic influences of the quantum-like Bayesian network. Our findings suggest that the proposed quantum-like influence digram can indeed take advantage of the quantum interference effects of quantum-like Bayesian Networks to maximise the utility of a cooperative behaviour in detriment of a fully rational defect behaviour under the prisoner's dilemma game