Coronavirus (COVID-19) is a potentially fatal viral infection. This study investigates geography, demography, socioeconomics, health conditions, hospital characteristics, and politics as potential explanatory variables for death rates at the state and county levels. Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Census Bureau, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid, Definitive Healthcare, and USAfacts.org were used to evaluate regression models. Yearly pneumonia and flu death rates  were evaluated as a function of the governors’ political party using a repeated measures analysis. At the state and county level, spatial regression models were evaluated. At the county level, we discovered a statistically significant model that included geography, population density, racial and ethnic status, three health status variables along with a political factor. A state level analysis identified health status, minority status, and the interaction between governors’ parties and health status as important variables. The political factor, however, did not appear in a subsequent analysis of 2014–2018 pneumonia and flu death rates. The pathogenesis of COVID-19 has a greater and disproportionate effect within racial and ethnic minority groups, and the political influence on the reporting of COVID-19 mortality was statistically relevant at the county level and as an interaction term only at the state level. Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is the etiologic agent of the coronavirus COVID-19) pandemic. As of 31 August 2020, the associated death toll in the United States is reported to have surpassed 180,000 9 pandemi. HoweverCOVID-19 data inconsistencies and potential political bias in data reporting can have significant implications. If the data that politicians rely on are faulty, subsequent policies may harm public health, the economy, and other aspects of society. Testing differences, false positives, false negatives, and other factors that likely differ from state-to-state and county-to-county make the underlying official deaths with COVID-19 reports somewhat suspect; however, this study leverages the official data used by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). There are several county level studies about COVID-19 available from recent research. Badr et al. (2020) evaluated mobility patterns and COVID-19 transmission . This stWe investigated three research questions. First, what attributes of geography, demography, population density, economy, population health, hospital characteristics, and politics might explain the deaths per 100,000 (death rate) at the county level as of 31 August 2020? Second, did COVID-19 death rates at the state level differ based upon governor party affiliation after accounting for other relevant variables? As a control for our second line of inquiry, we also examined whether variation existed in previous flu/pneumonia death rates (2014–2018) based upon the governor’s party affiliation.To our knowledge, this research is the first to evaluate COVID-19 using combined data from multiple areas covering demographic, socioeconomic, health system, population health, and political factors using a spatial regression. It is also the first study to evaluate the effects of state and county political affiliation on COVID-19 death rates. The motivation behind this study is to address the media promulgation of explanatory factors that may or may not be scientifically verifiable , particularly when placed in the context of other known factors established at the individual unit of analysis .Sample sizes for the research questions were 3116 (county), 51 (states plus Washington D.C.), and 250 (50 states by 5 years). The dependent variable was the death rate per 100,000 population. Cumulative COVID-19 deaths were obtained from USAfacts.org . PopulatThe race and ethnicity variables included the proportion of African Americans, Native Americans, Asians, and Hispanics. The proportion of Caucasians was omitted due to collinearity considerations. Population density (population per square kilometer), and the proportion of people aged 65 and older served as additional control variables, although we anticipated (correctly) that the former might not enter the model, particularly when geospatial effects were considered. Economic variables included the median household income and unemployment. Population health status variables included the population proportions with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), heart failure, diabetes, obesity, and cancer, all of which have been identified by the CDC as risk factors at the individual level , as wellGeography was included as a known predictor of COVID-19 . SimilarBased on these research studies, we surmise that higher population densities might initially be associated with higher death rates, but that the effects of including spatial models will remove these effects. Increases in population density may place individuals at an increased risk of exposure. A better economic status  should result in better access to healthcare systems and thus lower death rates. Poverty, for example, results in reduced compliance with COVID-19 protocols . Higher Quantitative variables were standardized. At the state level of analysis, the small number of observations (51) necessitated data reduction. We used the first three principal components of all health status variables to proxy the effects of population health. These three components accounted for 75% of the variability of the original 19 variables.p-values as presented by Lockhart et al. [p-values address Lindley’s paradox, which often requires that the significance level changes as sample size increases [R2 and the root mean squared error (RMSE) along with associated standard deviations (SDs). We evaluated least absolute shrinkage and selection (lasso) models  to genert et al.  and implt et al.  in R [36ncreases . We alsoAfter fitting the Ordinary Least Squares (OLSs) model and constrained models, we repeated the same process to fit geospatial models. Specifically, we used a residual analysis to fit appropriate geospatial models with all of the variables and the subset suggested by lasso. Moran’s I and Lagrangian multiplier diagnostics were used to recommend the appropriate geospatial model to be fitted .We also investigated reporting differences that might exist for flu and pneumonia deaths at the state level. Using a repeated measures analysis, we modeled the logarithm of flu and pneumonia deaths as a function of year and governor party. All analyses were performed in R Statistical Software .All code is available for replication. County level R code (updated through 31 August 2020) is available online . State lAt the state level , descripThe four models estimated for the county analysis are depicted in R2). No statistically significant effect for the county’s winning party was apparent in the first model evaluation (p = 0.242). p < 0.001).The full OLS model (“OLS Full”) is depicted in the first columns of R2 was 0.352 with a standard deviation of 0.028. The lasso model . The model produced a similar R2 as the unconstrained model (R2 = 0.374). This constrained regression model also suggested that the political factor (winning party) should be considered as a potential explanatory variable (p = 0.089). Residual patterns were similar to p < 0.001). The Lagrange multiplier diagnostics again recommended a lag model.The best-tuned lasso model RMSE was 0.800 with a standard deviation (SD) of 0.045. The predicted “Lasso”,  using adρ = 0.634). Variables in the model again included the political factor (winning party). The residuals from the geospatial model no longer exhibited an autocorrelation .A generalized spatial two-stage least squares model (GS2SLS)  was usedp = 0.980). For interpretability, the unscaled geospatial model is shown in A final reduced model included the variables identified by the lasso as part of a geospatial lag model. This final model (p = 0.9804).In An important result is that while we evaluated population density, its standardized effect size was almost zero (0.003) when other factors were considered. This county level analysis is congruent with Pew Research findings that death rates are higher in Democratic-led counties . This stGiven the results of the political analysis at the county level, we further evaluated political leadership at the state level, examining a subset of variables found from the county level analysis. Since only 51 observations were available, the analysis was restricted to the minority proportion in the state (1-proportion Caucasian only), the first three principal components of health status variables (accounting for 75% of the variability), population density, unemployment, the governor’s party, and plurality . Pluralip = 0.162). A map of the residuals is shown in An OLSs model using the aforementioned variables captured 66% of the variability with the highest VIF of 3.24. Statistically significant variables included the minority population, all three health status principal components, and the interaction term between the governor’s party and the first principal component (the linear combination representing the primary comorbidities of the population). Moran’s I did not suggest that a spatial model was required at the state level  = 1.531, p = 0.217), only the reporting year  = 2.382, p = 0.040).As a final analysis, we investigated death rates from past influenza outbreaks and governors’ parties, a proxy for party politics. Since we found an effect at the county level and an interaction effect at the state level, we wanted to see if this was constant over time based on another respiratory disease. To investigate, we ran a repeated measures (by state) analysis of variance on the log-transformed death rate for 2014–2018. The model identified no effects associated with the governor party affiliation . Thus, the reduced model performs nearly as well as the full model in estimating county death rates. In that model, we see significant geospatial effects (ρ), as well as those associated with population density, race, and the winning party in the 2016 election. The estimate for Democratic counties (untransformed) was 4.503 deaths per 100,000.In this study, we first ran a county level analysis for death rates based on geographical, socioeconomic, health status, health capability, and political groupings. Our investigations were reduced to two full OLS models and two geospatial models. From our analysis, it was clear that geospatial models with lags were preferred to the OLS models. Further, the reduced GIS model using only variables identified from lasso produced nearly the same For the state level analysis, we found effects associated with the proportion minority, three principal components associated with health status variables, and the interaction between the governor’s party and the first health status variable. However, when removing the four states with the highest death rates , we found that the only predictive variable was the minority proportion in the state. Further, an analysis of influenza death rates showed no effect associated with political party.Population density has been identified as a predictive factor in disease progression ,42. A suAt the county level, our study confirms the findings of numerous researchers pertaining to healthcare disparities in the United States, particularly with respect to Native American, Hispanic, and African American populations ,50,51. Wn = 51 state observations. These health status effects disappeared after removing the four outlier states from the model. Thus, it would appear that minority status is the predominant predictor such that increases in the proportion of minorities are associated with increases in deaths per 100,000.At the state level, health status  was a predictor for the At the county level (and consistent with prior research), unemployment characteristics were identified as having a significant association with COVID-19-related deaths ,45. WhilPeriods of economic downturn have long been found to be associated with declines in health status and higher suicide rates compared with periods of relative prosperity ,47,48. RThe influence of politics on the reporting of COVID-19 mortality was a significant finding in our analysis. County level Democratic affiliation was significantly associated with increased COVID-19 deaths, even after controlling for factors such as population density. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first time that population density and urbanization are used as controls when evaluating death rates between Democratic and Republican states.In past years, the CDC retrospectively tabulated the number of flu-associated illnesses, hospitalizations, and deaths—a process that takes up to two years to generate an estimate. The process relies on estimation modeling in and out of hospitals based on behavioral algorithms . The CDCOn 20 February 2020, the CDC published guidelines for the diagnosis and mandatory reporting of COVID-19 for any patients evaluated with “COVID related” illnesses. This applied to all healthcare practitioners and included a comprehensive set of instructions and codes to document any relationship to COVID-19 on the death certificates . This reAt approximately the same time, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) authorized an additional 20% reimbursement for patients carrying a diagnosis of COVID-19 pursuant to Sections 3710 and 3711 of the CARES Act . These cDuring our analysis, we evaluated the data that pointed toward political interference in the reporting of COVID-related deaths. As of 31 August 2020, it is clear that the national death rate from COVID-19 is higher than from other flu pandemics, but the increase in the reported death rate in states with Democratic governors has been greater than the increase in states with Republican governors. Much more research in the area of politicization of medical reporting is needed, particularly given the political climate of the United States.p-values suggest the importance of that model. A second important limitation is that this analysis is current only as of 31 August 2020. The analysis will continue to change as the pandemic peaks and subsides.One of the major limitations of this study is that the associated methods are unable to estimate causality. Any variable found to be unimportant in this analysis might have its effects mediated out by others. The coefficient estimates are associated with the model built, and the associated Future research should supplement this analysis by investigating whether states with contested gubernatorial elections  report


No statistically significant differences were found for balance on unstable support. The present meta-analysis showed moderate-quality evidence of a medium effect of ATBT to improve dynamic and functional balance and low-quality evidence of a medium effect to improve monopedal static balance with respect to other therapies or no intervention.Balance impairment is a frequent disorder in patients with fibromyalgia (FMS), increasing the risk of falls and decreasing physical function and quality of life. In recent years, the use of active therapy-based training (ATBT) has increased, with the aim of improving balance in women with FMS. Our study aimed to assess the effect of ATBT to improve different balance outcomes in subjects with FMS. A systematic review with meta-analysis was carried out. We searched PubMed Medline, SCOPUS, Web of Science, CINAHL, and PEDro (Physiotherapy Evidence Database) databases up to September 2020. We included randomized controlled trials (RCT) that assessed the balance in patients with FMS after ATBT and compared to other treatments or no intervention. In a random-effects model, the standardized mean difference (SMD) was used to calculate the effect size. Ten studies were included in the review providing data from 546 FMS patients with a mean age of 52.41 ± 2.90 years old . Our results showed a medium effect favors ATBT with respect to other therapies for monopedal static balance (SMD = 0.571; 95% CI = 0.305, 0.836;  Fibromyalgia Syndrome (FMS) is defined as a chronic disorder characterized by widespread and persistent non-inflammatory musculoskeletal pain that includes concomitant symptoms such as fatigue, insomnia, morning stiffness, depression, anxiety, and cognitive problems  . LiteratThere are multiple evidence-based treatment guidelines for FMS, and all of them recommend standard symptomatic or pain pharmacological therapy  and physical exercise in the form of aerobic, resistance, or flexibility training . For exaRecent studies have found an alteration of postural control in FMS subjects ,10,11. FThe high frequency of balance disorders in patients with FMS and the resulting consequences, such as an increased falls risk, which can produce musculoskeletal damage added as bone fractures or disabling contusions  that redThe Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement  was usedTwo authors (M.D.M.-G. and M.R.-H.) independently conducted a literature search strategy in PubMed Medline, SCOPUS, Web of Science, CINAHL, and PEDro (Physiotherapy Evidence Database) databases until September 2020. The authors also searched in the reference lists from retrieved full-text studies and reviews previously published. The PICOS tool proposed by the Cochrane Library  was usedTwo blind reviewers (D.R.-A. and M.C.O.-P.) independently screened the titles and abstracts of all references collected in the search strategy to identify potentially eligible studies. If at least one of the authors selected an article during the inclusion phase based on the title or abstracts, it was examined in detail. Differences that arose during full-text screening were resolved by a consultation with a third reviewer (R.L.-V.).The inclusion criteria used were as follows: (1) Experimental studies, including RCT and RCT pilot studies; (2) studies that included patients diagnosed with FMS; (3) studies in which the intervention group received a treatment based on ATBT; (4) studies with a comparison group that received a different therapy to the intervention group or did not receive any therapy; (5) studies that assessed postural balance as an outcome measure; and (6) studies that provided data susceptible to be used in the quantitative synthesis. As exclusion criteria, we applied the following: (1) Cross-sectional and reviews studies; (2) RCT with intervention and control groups that were not exclusively composed of FMS patients, and (3) RCT studies that did not provide data to be used in the meta-analysis or transformed using validated procedures ,19.Two authors (M.D.-M.-G. and D.R.-A.) collected the data from the selected studies using a standardized data-collection form in Microsoft Excel. A third author (E.O.-G.) was consulted to resolve any issues.We extracted the following characteristics from the selected studies: research design, authorship, publication date, and sample size of each study. Concerning each comparison group (intervention or control group), we extracted the number of participants, age, gender, and body mass index (BMI). In addition, we collected the intervention and the control used in each study and their characteristics; balance was the outcome variable. We extracted the data (mean and its standard deviation) of the different tests and posturographic balance parameters used in these studies’ balance assessment. When mean or the standard deviation of the balance assessment was not available, we collected other statistical parameters, such as median, standard error, or inter-quartile range, susceptible to be transformed in mean and standard deviation and then included these in the meta-analysis ,19.The outcome measure was balance assessed with monopodal static balance tests, dynamic balance tests, functional balance tests, and balance assessment on an unstable support.First, we assessed the risk of bias of the individual studies included in the review using the Cochrane Collaboration Risk of Bias Tool. This scale comprises seven items to provide information about the following bias: selection, performance, detection, attrition, reporting, and others. This tool labels risk as low, uncertain (when studies did not provide information about this), or high risk of bias.Second, the overall quality of the evidence was assessed using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) system . It provTwo reviewers (M.D.M.-G. and D.R.-A.) independently assessed the risk of bias in individual studies and judged the overall quality of the evidence in each meta-analysis. The level of evidence of each meta-analysis was classified as: (1) high, showing robust findings; (2) medium, when our results may possibly change with new research; (3) low, showing a low level of confidence in the effect; and (4) very low, when any estimate of the effect is very uncertain. When a limiting factor was located, we downgraded the evidence by one level, and with the presence of several limitations, the overall quality was downgraded by two levels.2) from Higgins that rates heterogeneity as low (<25%), medium (25–50%) and large (>50%) and its p-value calculation (p < 0.1 indicates large heterogeneity) [p < 0.1 indicates the possible existence of publication bias risk) [We used the Comprehensive Meta-Analysis 3.3.070 software  to perform the meta-analysis. Two authors were in charge of designing and developing the statistical analysis (E.O.-G. and R.L.-V.). The recommendations of Cooper et al. (2009)  were folgeneity) ,28. The geneity) , with thas risk)  and the as risk) . RelatedA sensitivity analysis was performed with the leave-one-out method to assess each study’s contribution to the pooled effect in each meta-analysis .n = 4937), 6301 references were analyzed by title/abstract, and 5724 were excluded for not being relevant. Five hundred seventy-seven full-text records were reviewed, and 365 were excluded for not meeting the inclusion criteria. In The bibliographic search and the study selection process are displayed in the PRISMA flow chart . Initial2). The studies were undertaken in the following countries: Spain (7 studies) [2) who received an ATBT, such as core stability program [2 whose interventions were acupuncture [Ten studies ,39,40,41studies) ,37,39,41studies) ,38,40. T program , functio program , aquatic program ,36, Tai  program , Yoga [4puncture , health puncture , usual cpuncture ,34,35,36puncture ,35,39,41In 2) in which the monopedal static balance was assessed using the one leg stance test. One hundred seventy-five participants (53.13 ± 2.43 years old) received an ATBT, such as core stability program [p < 0.001) showed low-quality evidence of a medium effect of the ATBT in the improvement of monopedal static balance in patients with FMS in comparison with other therapies or no intervention (p = 0.11) showed a possible risk of publication bias (2 = 0%) and the number of participants per study was 56 showing a low level of precision. The sensitivity analysis (leave-one-out method) yielded pooled estimates that varied 18% when compared to the original pooled effect.Five RCTs ,34,35,36 program , active- program , aquatic program , health  program ,33,34,36rvention . The funion bias . The adj2) in which the dynamic balance was assessed with the timed get up and go test. Two hundred and twelve participants received ATBT (53.91 ± 1.82 years old) using core stability program [p <0.001) showed moderate-quality evidence of a medium effect of the ATBT in the improvement of dynamic balance in patients with FMS in comparison with other therapies or no intervention , and the level of precision was low (mean number of participants per study was 78.5). The sensitivity analysis estimated that the pooled effect varied 16% respect the original pooled effect.Five studies ,35,39,41 program , active- program , exergam program , health  program ,33,39,41rvention . The symion bias . Heterog2) in which the functional balance was assessed with functional tests, such as Berg balance scale [p = 0.028) showed moderate-quality evidence of a medium effect of ATBT in the improvement of functional balance in patients with FMS in comparison with other therapies or no intervention (p = 0.79), and no variation found in the adjusted SMD using the Trim and Fill method . The same number of subjects with FMS was examined on an unstable surface with eyes open and eyes closed (126 subjects with a mean age of 53.05 ± 1.90 years old in each condition). ATBT included yoga [p = 0.140) nor with eyes closed , both with a very low-quality evidence (2 = 45%), and the mean number of participants per study was 63 for each condition, showing findings with a low level of precision. The risk of publication bias was unable to be calculated, although it is possible that was higher.Two studies ,40 with ded yoga , and conded yoga . No statevidence . HeterogAlthough the presence of balance alteration in subjects with FMS has previously been observed, as well as the health benefit that physical exercise implies for this population, a meta-analysis on the effects that physical exercise has on balance in persons with FMS has not been conducted to date. Thus, the present systematic review with meta-analysis aimed to analyze the effects of active therapy-based training (ATBT) on balance in persons with FMS. Although the benefits that physical exercise has in the management of patients with FMS has been reported previously, our results show the benefits that ATBT provides for balance in FMS patients.The benefits of ATBT have been widely investigated in different populations. In the elderly population, it has been possible to observe that both monopedal static balance and dynamic balance can be improved through a combination of resistance and aerobic exercise and a training program where exergames and adapted physical activity would be combined . AdditioIn our study, it was possible to observe that ATBT not only improved monopedal static balance, but also dynamic balance, as well as functional balance. Both the severity of FMS symptoms and deficient physical function have been associated with postural control . In thisDaily life activities represent a challenge for persons with fibromyalgia as muscle strength represents a central component of the physical requirements for work and daily life activities . It has On the other hand, there is evidence of the presence of a small fiber pathology (SFP) in patients with fibromyalgia . Some stAnother aspect that could explain the improvement in balance obtained in the present systematic review is the positive effect of exercise therapy on cognitive function in patients with FMS . The cenAlthough our work shows a positive effect of ATBT on balance in patients with FMS, our results should be interpreted with caution because the improvement was observed in the short term. To date, there is not much evidence that ATBT can have a long-term effect. We believe that this may be due to the lack of specificity of the therapeutic programs implemented. Some studies have shown that patients with FMS could present a visual-vestibular problem more frequently ,61,62 wiSome limitations of this study should be considered. First, the low number of studies included in this review can affect the generalization of our findings. Specifically, the low number of studies included in each balance condition meta-analysis may increase the risk of performance bias due to the impossibility to blind the participants in both groups and the risk of selection bias related to the randomization process in some studies. Second, the variety of different ATBT used in each study can make hinder the generalization of our findings favorable to a specific active therapy. The precision of our results may be affected due to the low number of studies included and the low number of participants per study in each meta-analysis. It is also important to note the possible limitation of the risk of publication bias in each balance condition due to the low number of studies selected and especially for monopedal and bipedal static balance. It is necessary to increase the number of clinical trials that assess the effectiveness of ATBT in subjects with FMS containing a large sample size to obtain robust findings with the aim to establish rehabilitation programs that use ATBT as a successful therapy.Our findings show that a rehabilitation program using ATBT may be considered as an effective treatment to improve balance in persons with FMS. Moderate-quality evidence of a medium effect was found favoring ATBT with respect to other therapies or no intervention to improve dynamic and functional balance in subjects with FMS. Low-quality evidence of a medium effect for ATBT to improve the monopedal static balance was shown. However, no statistically significant differences were found in the assessment of bipedal balance on unstable support with eyes open and closed, with very low-quality evidence. This review shows the success of the active inclusion of subjects with FMS in active exercise programs to improve their balance. However, more research is needed to clarify essential aspects of ATBT, such as the duration of the intervention period and session frequency, and the type of ATBT indicated.


Empoasca onukii, is one of most damaging pests in tea plantations in Asia. In China, yellow sticky cards and light traps are increasingly used to control leafhoppers in tea plantations, especially the tea green leafhopper. Visually, several leafhoppers appear to be captured and killed, however, the real control efficiency and the damage to natural enemies remains unclear. In our study, a 16-week open field experiment with daily weather monitoring was designed to test the responses of tea green leafhopper, parasitoids and spiders to yellow sticky cards and light traps (cover with sticky cards) that used different light colours. An exclosure experiment was also designed to further test the influence of the three light systems (without sticky card) on the same groups of species. The results suggested that light, especially green and white, can be useful as a way to control leafhopper populations without affecting parasitoids and spiders too much.Leafhoppers are serious insect pests in agriculture across the world. Both nymphs and adults suck the sap of plant shoots and leaves with their piercing–sucking mouthparts causing damage called “hopperburn”. The tea green leafhopper, Empoasca onukii. In this study, a 16-week open-field experiment with daily weather monitoring was designed to test the responses of tea green leafhopper, parasitoids and spiders to yellow sticky cards and three light traps with different wavelengths (covered with sticky cards). An exclosure experiment was also designed to further test the influence of the three light systems (without sticky card) on the same species. The results showed that all three light emitting diode (LED) light traps  and yellow sticky cards attracted many more E. onukii male adults than females during the course of the open field experiment, with less than 25% of trapped adults being females. Parasitoids and spiders were also attracted by these systems. Weather variables, especially rainfall, influenced the trapping efficiency. In the exclosure experiment, the population of leafhoppers in the yellow sticky card treatment did not decline significantly, but the number of spiders significantly decreased. The green and white light treatments without sticky cards showed a significant control of E. onukii and no obvious harm to spiders. These results suggest that yellow sticky cards and light traps have limited capacity to control tea green leafhoppers. However, light, especially green light, may be a promising population control measure for tea green leafhoppers, not as killing agents in the traps, but rather as a behavioral control system.In Chinese tea plantations, yellow sticky cards and light traps are increasingly used to control insect pests, especially the tea green leafhopper  Camellia sinensis) plantations are considered perennial monocultures with habitat homogeneity and low plant species diversity [Tea  [In China, one of the main tea pests is the tea green leafhopper ( onukii) , which c onukii) ,8. The n onukii) . In tea  onukii) ,11. An iVarious alternative pest control methods have been tested in tea plantations. Among them, yellow sticky cards and light traps are widely used for insect pest control and population monitoring ,13,14,15Empoasca vitis, Empoasca onukii, and Scaphoideus titanus (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae), adult males tend to be more attracted to yellow sticky traps than females [Yponomeuta cagnagella (Lepidoptera: Yponomeutidae) and Ligdia adustata (Lepidoptera: Geometridae) are significantly more attracted to light than females [Attraction to light and various colors can be sex-specific, depending on the species. In leafhoppers, such as  females ,24,25. M females . On the  females .Encarsia formosa (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae) is an important pest predator that has positive phototaxis and is generally sensitive to the short-wavelength lights [These alternative control techniques may have negative impacts in the ecosystem if they target a broad spectrum of invertebrates, some being beneficial invertebrates such as natural pest control agents. For instance, h lights . This sph lights . The effE. onukii population, and communities of parasitoids and spiders in tea plantations where sticky cards and light traps were installed. To acquire a realistic estimate of the population dynamic of male and female tea green leafhopper in tea plantation, a suction machine was used, to sample populations over the trial period [With the continuous development of Chinese tea, quality and safety have become the primary goals of the tea industry. In China, yellow sticky cards and light traps are increasingly used to control insect pests in tea plantations ,13,14,15l period . The mai2, 25°0′15.76″ N, 117°52′0.04″ E; 700–750 m elevation). The tea plants in Hongxing were more than 50 years old and had been organically managed without pesticides and chemical fertilizers for the past 10 years.We conducted these experiments in the Hongxing tea plantation located in Quanzhou, Fujian Province, China  were selected. In each block, five plots of 3 × 3 m were set up (at least 10 m apart) and were assigned randomly to one of the five treatments: one sticky card, three light treatments and a control with no control method. The first treatment used yellow sticky cards . One card per plot was installed between two rows of tea plants using bamboo sticks at the height of the tea canopy .The three light treatments consisted in the installation of a new light trap design with white a, green 2 (surface area expected for daily activities of leafhoppers in tea plantations). The experiment ran from 13 May 2015 to 20 September 2015.In order to assess the effects of the treatments on leafhoppers, parasitoids and spiders, every day at 7:00 a.m., the sticky cards were collected and replaced. The replaced cards were taken back to the laboratory, the numbers of female and male tea leafhopper adults on the cards were counted, as well as the trapped parasitoids and spiders. All the insects and spiders on the cards were collected and stored in 75% alcohol and identified them under a stereomicroscope. The parasitoids and spiders were identified to the family level. The collected parasitoids (Hymenoptera) were identified based on the differences in antenna, mouth parts, mesonotum, prododeum, wing , which referred to the book wrote by Rrichards (1985) . The colDuring the study, a weather station  was set near the testing field to record the weather parameters including rainfall (RF), relative humidity (RH), solar radiation (SR), wind speed (WS), and temperature. To accurately match the trapping periods (which were recorded every day at 7:00 a.m.), daily weather data were collected from 7:00 to 6:59 a.m. the following day .To assess the control effects of yellow sticky cards and light traps, 25 exclosure cages , which were installed at the center of the cage and between two rows of tea plants at a canopy height (approximately 0.5 m). The cards were replaced every week. For the white, green and yellow light treatments, two modified lamps as described in the field experiment but without the sticky trap (no trapping) were installed between the two rows of tea plants inside a cage, 2 m apart. As previously mentioned, the LED lamps only worked during night-time. The control treatment used the same cages but with no card or lamp. Every week at 7:00 a.m., a suction machine  was used to collect and record the number of female and male tea leafhopper adults and spiders in 1 mes alive . These lE. onukii , parasitoids  and spiders , as well as the daily mean female:male ratio of adult E. onukii in each treatment, were calculated and graphed. The normality and homogeneity of variance were first tested and were satisfactory for the different dependent variables. First, the block effect was tested as a random effect using an analysis of co-variance. Because the block effect was not significant, it was omitted in further analyses. Analyses of variance were performed to compare the different treatments (excluding the control that had a different sampling method). The dependent variables included the total number of leafhoppers per plot, number of females and males, sex ratio, and numbers of parasitoids and spiders collected in each plot and treatment. Because the graphs detected some important variation in the population dynamics of leafhopper, additional analyses of variance were completed for the May peak, June low, July peak and late-August low, using average daily capture of leafhopper , parasitoids and spiders. To examine the potential influence of weather conditions  on the various capturing techniques, the data were ln-transformed first, to satisfy the normality and homogeneity of variance, then followed with a multiple regression to compare the daily number of leafhoppers, parasitoids and spiders captured by the four traps.The daily changes in the numbers of adult p ≤ 0.05) to compare the treatments using the total number of leafhoppers and spiders as dependent variables. Repeated measures analyses of variance, using a general linear model, were performed to examine variation over time (weeks) and among treatments (techniques). If the treatment variable was significant, the analysis was followed by LSD multiple range tests (p ≤ 0.05) to compare the treatments using the total number of leafhoppers or spiders as dependent variables.To satisfy the normality and homogeneity of variance of weekly numbers of leafhoppers and spiders, data were ln-transformed. One-way analysis of variances (ANOVAs) were performed, followed by LSD multiple range tests . The values were significantly lower than the control that had a mean ratio of 0.713 ± 0.014 . The meaThe spiders caught by the suction machine and four different trapping techniques were mainly from the families Araneidae, Oxyopidae, Salticidae, Theridiidae, and Micryphantidae. Among the four trapping treatments, we observed that yellow sticky card trapped the least number of spiders (124 ± 18), though there was no significant difference compared to the others . Two outThe trapped parasitoids were from the families Braconidae, Chalcididae, Ichneumonidae and Trichogrammatidae. The mean total number of parasitoids trapped 237 ± 18 by the yellow sticky cards, which was significantly higher than the three light-trapping treatments . The daiThe potential influence of weather variables on the efficiency of capture was examined by analyzing the variation in the number of leafhoppers trapped as a function of the different weather parameters recorded during the experiment . The regE. onukii females and males during the course of the exclosure experiment (p < 0.05), with no difference found between yellow sticky card, light treatment and the control. The repeated-measures ANOVAs showed that while the weekly number of tea green leafhoppers significantly varied over time, and even by treatment and time for total number and number of females, there was no significant difference among treatments , but again no significant effect was found for the treatments  per day [Spiders are the main predators of leafhoppers in tea plantation . They hu per day . Both we per day . It is t per day ,36. HoweE. onukii. In the field, 16–75% of tea leafhopper eggs can be parasitized by them [Several Mymaridae parasitoid species are egg parasitoids of  by them . Unlike  by them . Adult p by them ,40,41.E. onukii in tea plantations [E. onukii, including its circadian rhythm [Lights at night tended to suppress the activities of leafhoppers including moving, cleaning and, most importantly, mating activities, which maybe contributed to a decrease in the population size of ntations . Previoun rhythm . The conWeather conditions could be important factors that influence the effects of sticky traps and light traps in open field. In one way, the stickiness of cards can be affected by rainwater and temperature, and the illumination distance could be decreased by fog (experiences in authors’ experiment). It is also possible that the insects which include the pests and enemies, can adjust their flight, courtship and feeding activities to adapt to changing weather conditions . For exaE. onukii generally produce equal numbers of males and females [E. onukii are more active than females and their taxis toward yellow color, for example, may increase their likelihood to be trapped [Lycaena butterfly females possess the visual pigment P568, crucial for the long-range detection (red colors) of larval food plants [E. onukii.Natural populations of  females . While t females . Yellow  trapped . For mos trapped . Sexual d plants . This leThe results of our study suggest that light, especially green and white, can be useful as a way to control leafhopper populations without affecting predators too much. Interestingly, green light acts as a monochromatic light, and, more importantly, it is least absorbed by green plants , and may


The COVID-19 outbreak, caused by Sars-Cov-2, was officially declared a global pandemic in February 2020, after an unexpected increase in hospitalization and mortality. When faced with this new disease, social and physical distancing and quarantine emerged as solutions to reduce virus transmission. This article examines the quality of life (QoL) of the Brazilian population’s during this period of isolation, due to the COVID-19 pandemic by analyzing; physical, psychological, social, and economic aspects. An online survey was distributed from 27 May to 14 August of 2020. A total of 1859 surveys were completed. Our results indicate that Brazilians were more affected by economic and social aspects than psychological and physical. Unemployed participants and individuals who tested positive for COVID-19 presented the lowest QoL. Females showed worst QoL scores than males, but having children did not influence the score. Higher educational level was associated with a better perception of QoL. Not following social distancing guidelines presented better scores in the psychological domain than the ones following restrict or partial social distancing rules. This study is the first to evaluate adults’ QoL related to the Sars-Cov-2 pandemic in Brazil at a national level. Our data may help health authorities identify the main factors affecting the QoL of the Brazilian population, thereby orientating them to recover after the pandemic. In South America, Brazil is the country with the largest number of registered cases of COVID-19  and deaths  [The world population has been greatly affected by the Sars-Cov-2 (Coronavirus Disease 2019—COVID-19) pandemic, and the related economic, social, psychological, environmental, and public health consequences. The disease brought the risk of death from infection along with unbearable psychological pressure to people in the world [The relationship between the perception of vulnerability  and low quality of life (QoL) is widely accepted, however there are relatively few studies that link the current pandemic to reduced QoL in the general population of Brazil ,5. TakinStudies on this pandemic’s psychological impact on patients, medical staff, children, and older adults have been executed ,10,11,12This nationwide cross-sectional study was performed using a self-administered instrument  to inves® from 27 May to 14 August of 2020. Volunteers received the questionnaire’s link, inviting them to participate through nationwide recruitment done through email, messaging apps, and social networks. The instrument was placed on the online platform SurveyMonkeyThis study was performed with a convenience sample, where individuals from the entire country were recruited to participate. Researchers wanted to evaluate the QoL during the Sars-CoV-2 of the Brazilian population. Ethical approval was obtained for this study by the Ethics Committee University of Brasília (CAEE 30555220.3.0000.0008). The study followed the guidelines established by the Declaration of Helsinki and followed the Conduct, Reporting, Editing, and Publication of Scholarly work in Medical Journals. Once the respondents received and opened the questionnaire’s link, the inclusion criteria were explained. The inclusion criteria for participation were; participants had to be Brazilian, living in Brazil, aged 18 years or older, and agree to participate in the study before opening the questionnaire. Those that did not agree to participate were directed to a page thanking them for their time; while participants that agreed were directed to the survey. ® tool and IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows version 22 . The statistical analysis was carried out, where higher scores indicate a higher QoL. Questions left blank were substituted by a median value of the corresponding dimensions. The total score was calculated for each participants’ characteristics. If more than 20% of the questions were left blank, the questionnaire was eliminated from the analysis.Analysis of the data was done utilizing the GoogleFormst-test and Variance Analysis (ANOVA) followed by Tukey post-hoc analysis was used to compare the domains’ values with the socioeconomic and demographic variables. All tests considered two-tailed hypotheses with a significance level of 5%. The descriptive statistics  of the questionnaire’s subscales were presented. The within-subject comparisons of domain means were performed by one-way repeated measures ANOVA followed by Bonferroni’s post-hoc tests. A Student’s p = 0.262) [The factor validity was verified by confirmatory factor analysis. The Chi-squared test of minimum discrepancy (chi2), the Root Mean Square Error of Approximation (RMSEA), and the Comparative Fit Index (CFI) evaluated the factor validity . Both RM= 0.262) ,16.n = 1349; 72.56%); white ; with children ; living in urban areas ; have post-graduate degrees  and a half of them (50.32%) age < 39 y/o., and 95% of them live in urban areas. The minority were unemployed   did not test positive for Sars-Cov-2. There was no significant difference between the percentage of COVID-19 prospects with demographic and socioeconomic variables, except for educational level, where postgraduates had a higher positive percentage . A small number of participants did not follow social isolation measures (n = 1.8%)  that met the inclusion criteria, answered the questionnaire. Most of participants were female  . During rcentage . Many pa = 1.8%) .p < 0.05), except for the economic domain, which was similar . Individuals that tested positive for COVID-19 presented the lowest QoL scores (except for the economic domain). Likewise, the QoL was affected  when a family member was diagnosed with COVID-19. Experiencing the disease or having a family member experience it can unearth feelings of fear of possible health consequences related to the disease and also fear of death, consequently impacting the QoL perception. Individuals not following social distancing rules presented better scores in the psychological domain than those that follow restrict social distancing rules or those that leave home only for essential purchases. However, those results were similar to those that leave home for work, family visits, and essential purchases. Regarding the social and physical domains and total score, the individuals not following social distancing rules only differed from the ones that followed social distancing rules, but leave for essential purchases and has a family member that leaves the house for work .The total score Cronbach alpha values for psychological, social, and economic domains scores were >0.6, demonstrating good internal consistency. The QoL during the pandemic was most affected by economic and social aspects  followed by the psychological and physical, respectively . This study is the first to evaluate the Brazilian adult population’s QoL related to the Sars-Cov-2 pandemic. During the data collection period (27 May to 14 August of 2020), the numbers of cases and death by COVID-19 were increasing in Brazil. During this research period, Brazil had already registered more than 3 million confirmed cases, and more than 100 thousand deaths by COVID-19 ,18,19. n = 1458, 79%) were employed during the survey. However, during the pandemic, many families quarantined at home, increasing household expenses, such as water, energy, food, medicines, and other bills, which can influence the QoL, despite reducing their expenditure on other non-essential categories, such as office supplies and beauty products [n = 33; 1.8%), potentially influencing the social domain of QoL. However, only 125 (6.7%) followed social distancing, not leaving home to work, visit family members, or essential purchases. The individuals not complying with social distancing guidelines presented better scores in the psychological domain than those that followed these guidelines, as well as those that followed the guidelines and only left their home for the absolutely essential. In addition to social isolation, the psychological domain can be affected by the fear of contracting COVID-19. It could be speculated that because the Brazilian president repeatedly stated that COVID-19 was like the flu, that a portion of the Brazilian population was not worried about the possibility of contracting COVID-19. Our data indicate that the QoL during the pandemic period was most affected by economic and social aspects, followed by the psychological and physical factors. The results related to the economic domain were expected since the pandemic in Brazil aggravated an already difficult economic period, consequently affecting the QoL. Uncertainties about the future, such as work conditions, income, and social protection, lowered the mean scores for the economic domain of QoL. Moreover, the pandemic period in Brazil was marked by family income reduction and unemployment . Despiteproducts ,22,23. ASocial isolation measures were implemented in an attempt to prevent widespread community transmission. Most Brazilian cities closed restaurants, bars, night clubs, gyms, parks, shopping malls, and large events and gatherings were suspended while data was collected. Therefore, even those not following social distancing rules were restricted in their activities and the number of people they interacted with . AdditioData suggests that female respondents presented a worse perception of QoL than male respondents. In Brazil, women play a central role in food purchase and preparation for the family and are frequently responsible for household food decisions and housework ,26. WhilA higher educational level is frequently associated with a higher perception of QoL. A study by Ryff and Heidrich, 1997  showed tp = 0.262), which means that the measures of the constructs are consistent with the understanding of their nature [Our data showed that the four domains presented a good fit in the confirmatory factor analysis (RMSEA = 0.0068 (95% CI: 0–0.0157); CFI = 0.9992 and chi2 = 109.63; df = 101; r nature ,16. The r nature . Therefor nature ,35.Another potential limitation is that it is a cross-sectional study and lacks pre-COVID-19 data for comparison; however, the data can be used for future comparisons. Although, social and family support is considered necessary in QoL study during the pandemic , it was Pandemics have historically posed a challenge for governments and individuals. During the pandemic, Brazilian’s QoL was more affected by economic and social aspects than psychological and physical. Having children (or not) and place of residence  did not influence the total QoL score. The psychological and physical domains were not affected by the educational level, place of residency, or whether or not respondents had children or not. The social domain was not affected by having children (or not), and place of residency, a family member diagnosed with COVID-19, or by marital status. The economic domain was not influenced by gender, place of residency, or by individuals who test positive or not for COVID-19. Further studies should be conducted to evaluate how the length of isolation affected participants and compare the period during and after the COVID-19 pandemic period.


Experiences of ethnic discrimination may constitute major stressors for ethnic minority groups. This study examined the associations between different forms of ethnic discrimination and levels of perceived stress in Russian immigrants living in Germany, taking into account potential moderating (in-group identification) and mediating  factors.N = 308) were assessed using online questionnaires . Three forms of ethnic discrimination were examined: active harm , passive harm , and everyday discrimination . Moderation by in-group identification and mediation via coping and social support were tested.Russian immigrants , and in-group identification did not moderate these associations (ps >.27). The coping strategy self-blame mediated the association between active harm and stress. Substance use and self-blame mediated the association between passive harm and stress, whereas venting, behavioral disengagement, denial, self-blame, and social support mediated the association between everyday discrimination and stress. A direct effect remained for passive harm and everyday discrimination.Passive harm was more prevalent than everyday discrimination and active harm. Passive harm and everyday discrimination were associated with higher perceived stress (The present study revealed that Russian immigrants encounter different forms of ethnic discrimination, and that this is associated with higher levels of stress. This association was partly explained by coping and social support, illustrating possibilities for interventions aimed at improving the use of adaptive coping strategies and promoting social support-seeking for Russian immigrants. A growing body of research indicates that ethnic discrimination is associated with negative effects on both mental and physical health –3. DefinResearch on the link between ethnic discrimination and stress has focused on potential protective factors, such as in-group identification , 10, whiSince the 1970s, there have been indications of an overall reduction in overt ethnic discrimination and a simultaneous rise in covert, subtle, and benevolent forms from studies conducted in North America –18 and EIn-group identification was postulated to be an important factor that potentially moderates the consequences of ethnic discrimination . Within Individual coping refers to different cognitive or behavioral efforts that one uses to manage situations that are appraised to exceed, strain, or tax personal resources . AccordiThe availability of interpersonal social support has been shown to be beneficial for well-being and psychological adjustment , particuWhile some studies assessed how social support helps people to cope with stress in general (without focusing exclusively on ethnic discrimination), Clark  argued tWe set out to examine the association between perceived ethnic discrimination—considering in-group identification and coping—in a sample of Russian immigrants in Germany. Russian immigrants have received very little attention in this context. For instance, in a meta-analysis of the literature examining the relationship between reported racism and mental and physical health outcomes , only thTo our knowledge, no study to date has investigated the associations between different forms of ethnic discrimination and stress, as well as moderating and mediating factors in Russian immigrants. As such, it is unclear whether in-group identification buffers or heightens the perceived stress caused by instances of ethnic discrimination in this population. In the present study, we chose to investigate overt and covert discrimination by using two of the four behavioral tendencies of the BIAS map , as in contrast to the facilitatory dimensions, these have negative consequences for individuals. Furthermore, we assessed ethnic discrimination in everyday settings. Everyday discrimination encompasses elements of exclusionary behaviors in daily life that may be perceived indirectly, without personal contact, intent, or demeaning nature , constitOur research hypotheses were as follows:The relationship between different forms of ethnic discrimination and perceived stress is moderated by in-group identification.The positive relationship between different forms of ethnic discrimination and perceived stress is mediated by discrimination-specific individual coping and social support. We assume that emotion-focused coping  and avoidance coping  will be maladaptive , whereas problem-focused coping, religious coping, and social support will be adaptive .N = 159) and 2015 (N = 149). The study was approved by the Committee for Ethics at the Department of Psychology, Philipps University Marburg, Germany. Informed consent was obtained from all participants prior to their participation.The questionnaires were administered online at two time points, between May and August 2012 and between January and May 2015. The participants of both sampling time points were independent from each other, i.e., the data is of cross-sectional nature. For the purpose of the current study, we merged the datasets from 2012  in the Federal states of Hesse and North Rhine-Westphalia in Germany. Further recruitment occurred in social and professional networks, online communities, and mailing lists which span across Germany. To portray the population in detail as well as gain generalizable results, we included both first and second-generation immigrants who, in 2018, made up 79 and 21% of Russian immigrants living in Germany, respectively  who had been living in Germany for an average of 15.5 years (SD = 7.3); 9% (n = 29) were second-generation immigrants, i.e., born in Germany. Twenty-four percent of the participants had a university degree, and 15% percent did not possess any school-leaving qualifications. Fifty-nine percent were employed, while the remainder were enrolled in university or currently unemployed. Eighty-five percent were in a relationship or married. The participants of the second generation were younger  and higher educated  than the participants of the first generation.Our sample comprised 308 Russian immigrants , higher educated , and fewer people were employed . Furthermore, fewer people were in a relationship or married in 2015 (42%) than in 2012 .Compared to the subsample from 2012, the subsample from 2015 was younger  = 133.34, p <.001; RMSEA = .076, CFI = .914, SRMR = .068]. This model with four latent factors fitted the data significantly better than a model with only a single latent factor  or a two-factor active and passive model . Cronbach’s alpha was .75 for active harm and .68 for passive harm .Two different questionnaires were used to measure discrimination. The BIAS-treatment scale  is a meEveryday experiences of discrimination were measured by a combination of seven items from three different studies , 68, 80.2(78) = 1259.92, p <.001) and size of the KMO (.80) were acceptable. Factor analysis revealed three factors with eigenvalues > 1, explaining 57% of the variance. The three factors consisted of 1) the three active harm items (loadings >.52), 2) the three passive harm items (loadings >.53), and 3) the seven everyday discrimination items (loadings >.49), respectively. No cross-loadings above .25 were found. These results thus confirmed the factorial distinctiveness of our three scales measuring ethnic discrimination.We conducted a principal axis factor analysis (with direct oblimin rotation) to ensure that the three forms of ethnic discrimination  were distinct factors. Sphericity  by Cohen, Kamarck, and Mermelstein  measuresParticipants completed four items measuring their identification with the group of Russians. These items were adapted from two studies , 85 and To assess individual coping, we used the Brief COPE , which i2(276) = 3348.00, p <.001] and size of the KMO (.79) were acceptable. Factor analysis revealed eight factors with eigenvalues of >1, explaining 72% of the variance. Due to low communalities or double factor loadings, items 7, 17, 19, and 24 were excluded from further analyses. The factor active coping found by Knoll, Rieckmann, and Schwarzer  for SPSS 24 . Three rnvention , an R2 rs = .13–.28), but not with perceived stress (r = -.08). Correlations between sex  and active harm (r = -.18) were significant. Male participants reported a higher frequency of active harm. In-group identification was positively—and significantly—associated with perceived stress (r = .15).All bivariate correlations of the variables included in our models are depicted in ps >.191). First-generation immigrants, however, reported a higher frequency of everyday discrimination (M = 2.04) than second-generation immigrants  and a higher score of in-group identification . The subsample from 2015 had lower scores in all measurements of the three forms of ethnic discrimination  than the sample assessed in 2012. Furthermore, the subsample from 2012 reported higher in-group identification (M = 4.51) than the subsample from 2015 . The two samples, however, did not differ regarding perceived stress (p = .847).The participants from the first and second-generation did not differ regarding their scores of active harm, passive harm, or perceived stress , indicating that in-group identification did not moderate the associations between the three forms of discrimination and perceived stress. To investigate whether the potential moderation may be influenced by the different generational statuses and sampling time points of our sample, we analyzed the models separately for first- and second-generation participants and the subsamples from 2012 and 2015. Again, in-group identification did not moderate the associations between any forms of discrimination and perceived stress . Consequently, in-group identification was not considered as a control variable in the further analyses.None of the three interaction terms were significant  with the eight different coping strategies and social support as mediators. See b = 0.11, p = .051), and the inclusion of self-blame as a mediator reduced it to a direct effect of b = 0.08 (p = .14). The final model explained a small proportion of the variance in perceived stress (R2 = .12).For active harm, we only found an indirect effect on perceived stress through self-blame (see b = 0.13 (p <.001) to a direct effect of b = 0.07 (p = .020). The variance explained by the final model (R2 = .19) indicated a moderate effect size.Passive harm showed an indirect effect on perceived stress through substance use and self-blame see Figure 3b = 0.14 (p <.001), to a direct effect of b = 0.08 (p = .027). The variance explained by the final model (R2 = .22) indicated a moderate effect size.We found significant indirect effects of everyday discrimination on perceived stress through venting, behavioral disengagement, denial, self-blame, and social support  and perceived stress in a sample of Russian immigrants living in Germany. We explored the stress-buffering effect of in-group identification and the use of various discrimination-specific coping strategies  as well as perceived social support.Consistent with previous research , 2, the Active harm, which is characterized by a perception of blatant, overt ethnic discrimination, was not associated with perceived stress in the present study. Ong, Fuller-Rowell, and Burrow  found a via in-group identification, as assumed by the rejection-identification model , as well as one avoidant strategy , were maladaptive. Laypersons often assume venting to be a productive strategy to handle negative emotions . HoweverOnly two strategies were found to buffer against stress following experiences of ethnic discrimination: perceived social support and denial, and these strategies only exerted an effect in response to perceived everyday discrimination. Contrary our expectations, we did not find a mediation by problem-focused and religious coping. Furthermore, everyday discrimination was associated with lower social support, even though this form of coping buffered perceived stress. Prelow, Mosher, and Bowman  reportedvia coping and social support based on the theoretical background  and the mean age (32 years) was lower than the average age of Russian immigrants in Germany 41 years ], which ckground , 41, thi years , ckground , we aimeckground , the samckground . Longitun = 205): α = .63–89; good (n = 69): α = .65–.90; and moderate or not very proficient (n = 32): α = .74–.92. This data may partially refute this limitation, as we assume that most participants in the current study chose the German version of our instruments due to their high proficiency in the German language and the internal reliabilities of the instruments were comparable between different German language skills. Nevertheless, we cannot fully rule out limitations due to measurement variance, as we did not test it.At the first page of the online assessment, participants could choose to fill in the questionnaires in either German or Russian, and the informed consent and all questionnaire where then presented in the chosen language. Very unfortunately and due to technical reasons, we could not determine how many participants chose which language. Thus, we were unable to test for measurement invariance or comparability of the two language versions. However, ninety percent of our sample rated their German language skills as “very good” or “good”, and the internal reliability  of our core questionnaires  did not differ between the skill categories for German language. The categories and respective internal reliability scores were as follows: very good  and adaptive  coping strategies following different forms of discrimination. Consequently, practitioners working with Russian immigrants affected by ethnic discrimination should encourage the seeking of social support and aim to reduce maladaptive coping strategies. Finally, we seek to raise institutional as well as public awareness of the consequences of discrimination against minority groups.The raw data supporting the conclusions of this article will be made available by the authors, without undue reservation.The studies involving human participants were reviewed and approved by Committee for Ethics at the Department of Psychology, Philipps University Marburg, Germany. The patients/participants provided their written informed consent to participate in this study.AG analyzed and interpreted the data and wrote the first draft of the manuscript. FA contributed to the design of the study, the interpretation of the data, and critically revised earlier versions of the manuscript. UN contributed to the interpretation of the data and critically revised earlier versions of the manuscript. RM was the principal investigator of the study, contributed to the design of the study, supervised data collection, helped with analyses and interpretation of the data, and was a major contributor in writing the manuscript. All authors contributed to the article and approved the submitted version.The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.


Tenebrio molitor and Zophobas morio meals as a partial replacement for fishmeal in sea trout  diets on growth performance, feed utilization, organosomatic indices, serum biochemistry, gut histology, and microbiota. In the present study, insect meals inclusion did not cause any adverse impacts on growth performance, feed utilization or gut histomorphology. However, an effect on the organosomatic indices, serum biochemistry, and microbiota was observed. In conclusion, hydrolyzed T. molitor and Z. morio meals seem to be promising alternative protein sources for sea trout nutrition.The replacement of fishmeal by environmentally sustainable alternative meals has been one of the targets in aquaculture in recent decades. A number of factors support the use of insect meals, as a group of products characterized by high crude protein and crude fat content, in fish nutrition. Insects are readily accepted by a number of fish species, and they are part of the natural diet of omnivorous and carnivorous species. The present study was conducted to evaluate the effects of hydrolyzed Salmo trutta m. trutta). The experiment was performed on 225 sea trout fingerlings distributed into three groups . The control diet was fishmeal-based. In the experimental groups, 10% of hydrolyzed mealworm (TMD) and superworm (ZMD) meals were included. The protein efficiency ratio was lower in the TMD and ZMD. Higher organosomatic indices and liver lipid contents were found in the group fed ZMD. The ZMD increased levels of aspartate aminotransferase, and decreased levels of alkaline phosphatase. The Aeromonas spp. and Enterococcus spp. populations decreased in the ZMD. The concentrations of the Carnobacterium spp. decreased in the ZMD and TMD, as did that of the Lactobacillus group in the TMD. In conclusion, insect meals may be an alternative protein source in sea trout nutrition, as they yield satisfying growth performance and have the capability to modulate biochemical blood parameters and microbiota composition.The present study is the first introduction of hydrolyzed superworm meal in sea trout nutrition. It was conducted to evaluate the effects of inclusion in the diet of hydrolyzed insect meals as a partial replacement for fishmeal on growth performance, feed utilization, organosomatic indices, serum biochemical parameters, gut histomorphology, and microbiota composition of sea trout ( The replacement of fishmeal (FM) by environmentally sustainable alternative protein sources has been one of the targets of aquaculture in recent decades . Plant mOne of the key factors that has caused increased interest in research for alternative feed materials is the growing price of FM and its harmful effects on the environment ,13. HoweSalmo trutta m. trutta) tolerate higher water temperatures, and may play a crucial role in aquaculture under the pressure of the progressing global warming [Compared with other salmonids, sea trout  and superworm (Zophobas morio) larval meals hydrolyzed by bacterial enzymes and used as partial replacements for fishmeal on the blood immune responses and the microbiota of the gastrointestinal tract of sea trout compared to their growth performance and the feed efficiency.Considering all the aspects mentioned above, this research aimed to evaluate the impact of mealworm . To obtain full-fat meals, the larvae were oven-dried at 50 °C for 24 h and finely ground. The chemical composition and amino acid profile of the meals were determined for diet formulation .Bacillus amyloliquefaciens) endopeptidase enzyme Corolase® 7090  was added to the meals at a concentration of 1.5 g·kg−1 of protein, and the mixture was heated for five hours at 50 °C, according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Next, 0.75 g·kg−1 of the fungal protease enzyme Flavourzyme®  was added to the mixture, which was homogenized and hydrolyzed for three hours. The hydrolyzed meals were kept at 4 °C until diet preparation.Two commercial proteases were used to hydrolyze the dried larvae meals in two subsequent steps. The full-fat larvae meals were ground and mixed using distilled water at a ratio of 4:1 (w:v) to achieve a consistency suitable for enzyme hydrolysis. Initially, the diluted bacterial (−1 of crude protein) and isoenergetic (22.5 MJ·kg−1) diets were manufactured at the Feed Production Technology and Aquaculture Experimental Station in Muchocin, Poland. In the feed production process, all the dried ingredients were mixed with hydrolyzed insect biomass in a batch-type ribbon blender . The mixture was then passed through a semi-industrial single-screw extruder  at 110 °C to obtain pellets with 1.5-mm and 2.5-mm diameters. After extrusion, the pellets were dried in an airflow drier for 24 h at 40 °C. After drying, fish oil was added onto the mildly heated pellets. The diets were packed in plastic bags and stored at −18 °C until use.A control diet (CON) and two experimental diets were formulated . The conAll animal handling protocols and methods complied with the recommendations of Directive 2010/63/EU of the European Parliament and the council of 22 September 2010 on the protection of animals used for scientific purposes, the Polish law of 15 January 2015 on the protection of animals used for scientific purposes (Dz.U.2015 poz. 266), and the good practices and recommendations of the National Ethics Committee for Animal Experiments and the Local Ethics Committee for Animal Experiments of Poznań University of Life Sciences . The tri−1 water from the reservoir in an open-flow system. The water parameters were recorded daily. The temperature was 14.7 ± 0.6 °C, the dissolved oxygen was constant at 7.5 ± 0.3 mg L−1, and the photoperiod was maintained at 16:8 (light:dark) throughout the experiment.Sea trout fingerlings were transported from the Feed Production Technology and Aquaculture Experimental Station in Muchocin, Poland, to the Division of Inland Fisheries and Aquaculture laboratory. Firstly, fish were acclimated for seven days. After that time, on the 1st day of the experimental period, 225 fish with an average body weight of 5.08 ± 0.9 g were weighed individually and distributed randomly into nine tanks (25 fish in each). The fiberglass tanks used had 60 L capacities, which were supplied with 2 L minThe trial lasted eight weeks, and, during this time, the animals were fed by automatic band feeders . During the experiment, the animals were weighed and counted every two weeks to adjust the feed intake ratio, and the growth and feed efficiency parameters were recorded. The feed ratio was based on a feeding chart designed for Atlantic salmon, taking into consideration the average body weight of the fingerlings and the water temperature . The fisAt the beginning of the trial, 200 g of euthanized fish biomass was collected and preserved at 20 °C for body composition analysis. Fish biomass was weighted for each tank, and animals used for somatic indices calculations and other analysis were weighed and measured individually. The growth performance test was performed in triplicate—3 tanks per treatment— and each tank was considered as experimental unit (n = 3/treatment—representing 25 fish/tank). The fish were euthanized using an overdose of MS-222  and decaThe raw materials, experimental diets, and fish carcasses were analyzed according to the Association of Official Agricultural Chemists (AOAC)  methodolThe blood serum immunology was assessed according to the methods described by Kołodziejski et al. (2018) . For theThe free fatty acids (FFA) content as well as the glycogen levels were measured by enzymatic assay kits from Wako Diagnostics (China); the methodology described by Kołodziejski et al. (2017)  was usedThe levels of immunoglobulin M (IgM) and lysozyme (LZM) in the serum were measured using double antibody sandwich ELISA kits .The liver triglyceride levels were determined according to methods described by Kołodziejski et al. (2018) . The lipSamples of the anterior portion of the intestines of nine fish per treatment were collected and submerged in Bouin’s solution (Merck) until analysis, which was performed according to methods described by Sobolewska et al. (2017) . The sam−1) and were calculated according to the equation of Józefiak et al. 2019 [WA is the working area of the filter, PA is the picture area, Sweight is the sample weight, Dweight is the dilution factor weight, and Svolume is the volume of the sample pipetted onto the filter.The gastrointestinal tract digesta taken from the gut of 12 fish per tank was sampled, and digesta was pooled into 3 samples per tank . The digesta was immediately frozen and stored at −82 °C. The samples were prepared and observed following the protocols described by Rawski et al.  ,50. The al. 2019  given bep < 0.05.SAS software was used to analyze the data. To determine the normality of the data distribution and equality of the variances, Kolmogorov–Smirnov and Levene’s tests were used. One-way ANOVA was used, and, if there were significant differences among the treatments, further analysis was performed by a corrected Duncan’s post hoc test. The data are presented as the mean ± standard error of the mean (SEM). The statistical significance level was set at i is the observed dependent variable, μ is the overall mean, αi is the effect of the diet, and δij is the random error.The analysis of variance was conducted according to the following general model:The amino acid (AA) composition of the experimental diets is presented in p = 0.029).At the end of the experimental period, the growth performance parameters , and specific growth rate (SGR)) were not affected by the inclusion of the insect meals . Among tp < 0.001) and viscerosomatic index (VSI) (p = 0.010) values than those in the CON and TMD treatments. These values were related to the significant increase in lipid content in the liver in the ZMD treatment (p = 0.004). However, the liver glycogen and whole-body composition parameters were not affected by the inclusion of the insect meals (The sea trout fingerlings fed with ZMD exhibited higher hepatosomatic index (HSI) . ZMD meal reduced the concentration of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) compared to the levels of this enzyme in the CON and TMD treatments (p < 0.001). The concentration of triglycerides was significantly lower in the TMD treatment than in the CON treatment (p = 0.034); however, no differences were observed between the ZMD and other treatments. Additionally, the albumin content as well as the total cholesterol in the blood serum increased in those fish that consumed the insect meals . In the case of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), total protein content, free fatty acids, glucose, immunoglobulin M and lysozyme, there were no significant differences observed among the treatments.Significant differences were found in the serum analysis . The aspThe anterior part of the gastrointestinal tract did not exhibit any significant differences in villus height, villus width, or villus area among the sea trout fed the insect meals or the control diet. The muscular layer thickness was also not affected by insect meals inclusion .Aeromonas spp., Enterococcus spp. and Carnobacterium spp. ; the concentration of Carnobacterium spp. also decreased in the fish in the TMD treatment. The inclusion of TMD meal significantly reduced the concentration of the Lactobacillus group (p = 0.025). The total number of bacteria and Bacillus spp. did not exhibit any significant differences among the treatments  and chitin, which are considered health promoters in animal nutrition ,31,55. CZ. morio meal to sea trout diets. The results are characterized by a high survival rate and satisfactory growth performance and feed utilization parameters [Hermetia illucens) meal in a rainbow trout diet yielded results similar to those of a control diet in terms of growth and feed conversion. However, protein utilization was decreased in the BSF group. These differences may be due to the crude protein bonding to the chitin [The present study represents the first introduction of hydrolyzed rameters ,59. The rameters . Moreoverameters . The mairameters . In the rameters , who shoe chitin , which ce chitin . The rese chitin , in whicLateolabrax japonicus) fed diets with relatively high levels of PA [T. molitor full-fat meal and the use of a diet with T. molitor hydrolyzed with a 1.0% mixture of enzymes did not lead to differences in the HSI values compared to those generated by a fishmeal-based diet [T. molitor and Z. morio; specifically, this pattern may be due to differences in PA and saturated fatty acid (SFA) content, which was higher in the ZMD treatment group. What is more, the ratio between n-3 and n-6 fatty acids is reported as a potential modulate factor of the biochemical composition of fish liver and its structure as well as metabolism [Among the organosomatic indices, the HSI and VSI of the fish fed with ZMD were significantly higher than those of the TMD and CON groups. Moreover, these differences were related to the higher liver lipid levels found in the fish in the ZMD treatment. This can be explained by the presence of higher levels of palmitic acid (PA) in the diet with ZMD meal than in the other diets, as this caused the enlargement of the liver due to the accumulation of fat in this organ. A similar increase in the HSI was observed in Japanese sea bass  [Gadus morhua). The total protein content, which is considered an indicator of nutritional status [−1; however, these values vary seasonally, and data were available for adult fish only [Cyprinus carpio) exposed to heavy metals at lethal and sublethal concentrations, albumin levels may be significantly decreased to meet the immediate energy demand of toxic stress [Cyprinus carpio var. Jian) diets did not have an impact on total cholesterol or triglyceride content [Pelteobagrus fulvidraco) [In terms of the hematological parameters of the serum, there were no significant differences in the ALT concentration. However, the AST analyses showed higher values in the ZMD treatment group. These two aminotransferases are potential biomarkers of liver health . Accordibarbara)  or layinbarbara) . In contbarbara) . Perhapsbarbara) ,75. The barbara) . In contbarbara) ; therefobarbara)  in a stul status , was notl status  variatiol status . Previouish only . In commc stress . In birdc stress . The fis content ,84,85. O content ,30,86,87 content . In addi content ; however content . It has vidraco) . In geneAcipenser baerii) diets did not affect villus height [Oncorhynchus mykiss), the villus height decreased with mealworm and tropical house cricket (Gryllodes sigillatus) inclusion, while an increase in villus height was observed with the addition of the Turkestan cockroach  [The hydrolyzed insect meals did not affect the gut histomorphology , which has a crucial role in nutrient absorption and gut health. The use of mealworm and BSF meal in Siberian sturgeon  . In thisteralis) . This vaBacillus spp. This genus of bacteria is well known, due to its probiotic properties and production of secondary metabolites, such as acetic acid, lactic acid and bacteriocins, and may contribute to potentially improving fish health [Bacillus spp. in gilt-head bream (Sparus aurata) and brown trout [Bacillus spp. in the case of Siberian sturgeon [Z. morio meal significantly decreased the concentration of Carnobacterium spp., but, in the case of the T. molitor meal, a reduction in Carnobacterium spp. as well as the Lactobacillus group was observed. Both Carnobacterium spp. and the Lactobacillus group are lactic acid bacteria (LAB), which produce inhibitory substances against fish pathogens [Aeromonas spp. and Enterococcus spp was observed in the ZM group. The reduction in Aeromonas spp. is a positive change, as this genus includes pathogenic and opportunistic bacteria, such as Aeromonas hydrophila and Aeromonas salmonicida, that may produce cytotoxins, enterotoxins and endotoxins, negatively affecting intestinal barrier functions [Enterococcus spp. can also be seen as a positive effect of ZM meal inclusion. Despite the fact that a number of bacteria belonging to this genus may be used as probiotics due to their antimicrobial properties, many of them are virulent, and this can lead to the invasion of host tissue and displacement through epithelial cells [A. baerii, which showed a decrease in Carnobacterium spp., the Lactobacillus group, Aeromonas spp., and Enterococcus spp. in a control treatment fishmeal [Lactobacillus sp./Enterococcus sp. was lower in all the groups fed with insects than in the control group, which was fed fishmeal. In the same experiment, the number of Enterobacteriaceae bacteria increased as a result of T. molitor inclusion. Moreover, according to Osimani et al. (2019) [Danio rerio) [The abovementioned findings suggest that a crucial role is played by the GIT microbiome. The present study shows a lack of effects of insect supplementation on the total number of bacteria, which is in agreement with the findings of research carried out by Bruni et al. (2018)  on rainbh health ,94. In twn trout . In contsturgeon . The incathogens . The desunctions ,98. The al cells . The obtfishmeal . However. (2019)  the micro rerio) . Salmo salar affected individual bacterial groups by decreasing the populations of Bacillus spp., Lactobacillus spp., Pseudomonas spp., and Staphylococcus spp. [Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Listeria monocytogenes, and Staphylococcus aureus, have been observed [Gadus morhua was also demonstrated by Zhou et al. (2013) [S. aureus, E. coli, L. monocytogenes, and Salmonella typhimurium [All described results can be explained by the presence of chitin, which is a component of the exoskeleton of insects, shellfish, fungi, molds, and protozoa. It is considered as a factor modulating the microbiome of the gastrointestinal tract . It has cus spp. . The antobserved , which sobserved ,105. The. (2013) . However. (2013) ,28 due t. (2013) ,30. The himurium .Lactobacillus group, Carnobacterium spp., Aeromonas spp., and Enterococcus spp., which provides a need for further complex analyzes of insect meal effects on fish microbiome and health. In general, hydrolyzed insect meals appear to be a promising alternative protein source for sea trout nutrition.The use of hydrolyzed insect meals did not affect the growth performance or feed efficiency parameters, including final body weight, BWG, SGR, DIR, FCR and PPV. The effects of ZMD meal were found in the HSI, VSI and liver lipids. Effects of ZMD and TMD on serum biochemistry were observed, which are key points for further studies due to the limited information about hematological parameters in fish. In terms of intestinal histomorphology, there were no aberrations or structural changes, which can be considered an advantage of using insects for sea trout nutrition. The ZMD and TMD treatments decreased the concentrations of groups of bacteria key for fish health, including the