We present a systematic algorithm testing for the existence of collective self-organization in the behavior of agents in social systems, with a concrete empirical implementation on the Dow Jones Industrial Average index (DJIA) over the 20th century and on Hong Kong Hang Seng composite index (HSI) since 1969. The algorithm combines ideas from critical phenomena, the impact of agents’ expectation...

The study object was an Odontesthes bonariensis (Valenciennes, 1835) population of a characteristically shallow lake from the pampasic region. Over one year, zooplankton and fish samples were collected monthly. As a function of time and gender, several indices were investigated (relative weight, mesentery fat index, gonadosomatic index, hepatosomatic index and somatic index) and were related to...

Introduction: Fatty liver is a condition in people with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). The purpose of this study is to examine the effects of combined training on novel hepatic steatosis indices (fatty liver index (FLI), accumulation product (LAP), hepatic steatosis index (HSI), and Framingham steatosis index (FSI)) in women with type 2 diabetes. Methods: 35 female with type 2 diabetes wer...

BACKGROUND Population-based diagnosis- and condition-specific health-related quality of life (HRQoL) scores are required for decision-making and research purposes. These HRQoL scores do not exist for hospital-based long-term care (LTC) residents. OBJECTIVE To estimate the impact of 60 diseases and 15 conditions on caregiver-assessed preference-based HRQoL. METHODS Residents in hospital-base...

Habitat suitability index (HSI) models are commonly used to predict habitat quality and species distributions and are used to develop biological surveys, assess reserve and management priorities, and anticipate possible change under different management or climate change scenarios. Important management decisions may be based on model results, often without a clear understanding of the level of ...

To evaluate effects of stocking density on welfare of Amur sturgeon (Acipenser schrenckii), an experiment was designed using three initial stocking densities in flow-through tanks (LSD = 3.7 kg m , MSD = 6.9 kg m , and HSD = 9.3 kg m , respectively) for 60 days. Growth, body composition, and haematological and biochemical parameters were monitored. The mortality and feed conversion rate (FCR) w...

In a previous study, several histological alterations were found in the liver of gilthead seabream Ž . fed with a diet containing 30% soybean meal SBM . In the current study, SBM containing diets Ž . were supplemented with either potassium phosphate, zinc sulfate or phytase Aspergillus ficuum , or increasing the dietary ny3rny6 fatty acids ratio to meet that of a fish meal based diet. Diet Ž . ...

The response of male Fundulus heteroclitus to estrogenic compounds was assessed in anticipation of using this species in endocrine disrupter field studies in the Chesapeake Bay. Measurements of plasma vitellogenin, gonadosomatic (GSI) and hepatosomatic (HSI) indices, and an assessment of changes in gonadal histology were made. Of the parameters assessed, vitellogenin was found to be the most se...

BACKGROUND Pork is an essential component of the diet that has been linked with major degenerative diseases and development of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Previous studies have. Previous studies have demonstrated the in vitro antioxidant activity of silicon (Si). Furthermore, when Si is added to restructured pork (RP) strongly counterbalances the negative effect of high-cholesterol-in...

Impervious surface area (ISA) is an important parameter for many studies such as urban climate, urban environmental change, and air pollution; however, mapping ISA at the regional or global scale is still challenging due to the complexity of impervious surface features. The Defense Meteorological Satellite Program’s Operational Linescan System (DMSP-OLS) data have been used for ISA mapping, but...