bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Urbanisation drives inter‐ and intraspecific variation in flight‐related morphological traits of aquatic insects at different landscape scales
Authors: Liao Wenfei , Lin Hao
Published: November 2023

Urbanisation, as an unstoppable global phenomenon, has led to decreasing connectivity between habitats, which gives strong pressure on organisms. Current research has barely investigated urban effects on aquatic insect species traits. Here, we investigated how inter‐ and intraspecific variations of flight‐related morphological traits change along an urban gradient in three species of Dytiscidae at different landscape scales.

We collected specimens in 30 urban wetlands in Helsinki, Finland. We measured flight‐related traits, including body length, pronotum length, elytron length, and the hind wing length and area. With linear models, we modelled how flight‐related traits of the three species responded to the percentage of impermeable surfaces in buffers with nine different radii: 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 800, 1000 and 1200 m.

Our results show that (a) Ilybius ater was not affected by urbanisation in traits, indicating that some species are good dispersers and pre‐adapted to urbanisation. (b) The other two species, Acilius canaliculatus and Hydaticus seminiger, exhibited different patterns along the urban gradient, suggesting species utilise different strategies to cope with movement barriers in urban landscapes. (c) Species were affected by urbanisation at different scales, suggesting species have different ability to adjust morphological plasticity to endure movement barriers caused by urbanisation.

This study reveals that urban land‐use change can have complex effects on inter‐ and intraspecific variation of aquatic insects. We highlight that urban planning should consider at which scale target species can endure urbanisation, to create an effective network of urban ponds for aquatic biodiversity conservation.
Facilitating increased participation in clinical trials: what do consumers expect of clinical trial matching websites?
Authors: Gard Grace , Oakley Joanna , Harold Michael , Colyer Duncan , Benson Wendy , Gray Katya , Zeps Nik , Gibbs Peter
Published: November 2023

Clinical trials offer access to novel therapies and potential major benefits for patients, but identifying and accessing suitable trials remains a significant challenge for consumers. A burgeoning range of online services aims to meet this need; however, there is a paucity of data on whether these services are addressing the requirements and concerns of consumers. Here, we report our findings from a survey of cancer consumers, with results we believe are relevant to the broader research community.
FOXP3 deficiency, from the mechanisms of the disease to curative strategies
Authors: Borna Simon , Meffre Eric , Bacchetta Rosa
Published: November 2023

FOXP3 gene is a key transcription factor driving immune tolerance and its deficiency causes immune dysregulation, polyendocrinopathy, enteropathy X‐linked syndrome (IPEX), a prototypic primary immune regulatory disorder (PIRD) with defective regulatory T (Treg) cells. Although life‐threatening, the increased awareness and early diagnosis have contributed to improved control of the disease. IPEX currently comprises a broad spectrum of clinical autoimmune manifestations from severe early onset organ involvement to moderate, recurrent manifestations. This review focuses on the mechanistic advancements that, since the IPEX discovery in early 2000, have informed the role of the human FOXP3+ Treg cells in controlling peripheral tolerance and shaping the overall immune landscape of IPEX patients and carrier mothers, contributing to defining new treatments.
Variable neighborhood search approach to face‐shield delivery during pandemic periods
Authors: Pacheco Joaquín , Casado Silvia
Published: November 2023

In 2020, the COVID‐19 pandemic and its rapid spread shook health authorities worldwide at the regional and national levels. Healthcare systems had difficulty acquiring important supplies, such as face shields, which at that time were essential for healthcare staff. The need for this material increased with the spread of the pandemic. In most areas, warehouses did not have a sufficient stock of this product. This situation has occurred in the cities and provinces of Burgos (Spain). Volunteers (citizens and small companies) owning three‐dimensional printers offered themselves to manufacture face shields. These volunteers are called “makers.” Similarly, different organizations (mainly Civil Protection) took charge of transport activities (delivery of material to the makers, collection of face shields, and delivery of the latter to hospitals and other entities). In this study, we were tasked with developing a system for planning and rationalizing these activities. The problems that were solved included a vehicle routing problem with different characteristics compared with other models in the literature. A previuous work described this problem, and the heuristic method used for the planning. However, it is necessary to develop tools that are as efficient as possible for similar situations. In this study, we propose a mathematical formulation of the problem and a method based on the metaheuristic strategies variable neighborhood search and greedy randomize adaptative search procedure on a multistart framework. Different tests with real instances used during the period in which these activities were conducted show that the new method improves the results obtained by the previous method as well as the commercial software.
Evaluation of risk factors for surgical site infections in osteoarthritis patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty
Authors: Li Haihong , Li Yina , Wang Danhua , Huang Qiuli , Liu Dandan
Published: November 2023

This research sought to delineate risk factors associated with surgical site infections (SSIs) post‐total knee arthroplasty (post‐TKA) in elderly osteoarthritis patients, aiming to enhance post‐surgical outcomes. A retrospective examination was conducted on a cohort of 650 elderly patients who underwent unilateral TKA between January 2018 and August 2022. Data procurement was from the hospital's Electronic Health Record, and a comprehensive statistical evaluation was performed using IBM SPSS Statistics version 24.0. Both univariate and multivariate techniques assessed a spectrum of risk determinants such as age, body mass index (BMI), coexisting medical conditions and surgical variables. The univariate examination spotlighted age, BMI, diabetes prevalence, chronic corticosteroid consumption and American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status classification as notable predictors of SSIs. The multivariate logistic regression pinpointed age, BMI, history of smoking and diabetes diagnosis as salient risk attributors for post‐TKA infections. Concurrently, parameters like ASA classification, surgical duration and intraoperative haemorrhage further enriched the risk landscape. Geriatric patients undergoing TKA for knee osteoarthritis manifest a tangible infection susceptibility post‐surgery. Precision interventions concentrating on amendable risk components, including meticulous preoperative evaluations and strategic postoperative care, are imperative to attenuate SSI incidence, thereby amplifying surgical efficacy and optimizing patient recuperation trajectories.
Drought resistance, quality characteristics and water‐yield relationships of some wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) lines and varieties
Authors: Gokkuş Mualla Keten , Dumlupinar Ziya , Degirmenci Hasan
Published: November 2023

The aim of this study was to determine the drought tolerance of four different genotypes, including two wheat varieties (Ceyhan 99 and Sagittario) and two wheat lines (Zdeb101 and Zdeb102), and create irrigation schedules. This study was performed with treatments applied at three irrigation levels (S100: treatment where the entire water need of the plant was met, S50: 50% of the water provided in the S100 treatment, S0: Rainfed), with four genotypes and four replications in a split‐plot design in Kahramanmaras East Mediterranean Transitional Zone Agricultural Research Institute in 2019 and 2020. The Ceyhan 99 and Sagittario varieties, which are widely cultivated in the region and the Zeb101 and Zdeb102 lines that are candidates for varieties were used in the study. In the study, 217.1 and 213.77 mm of water was given to S100, 108.54 and 106.88 mm of water was given to S50, and no irrigation was provided to S0 in 2019 and 2020, respectively. The effects of different irrigation levels on yield, water use efficiency (WUE), irrigation water use efficiency (IWUE), protein content and wet gluten content were investigated. At the end of this study, seasonal evapotranspiration (ET), irrigation water and yield decreased from S100 to S0. WUE, IWUE and yield response factor (Ky) values showed different trends in both years. There was no significant difference in yield between the varieties. However, in the stress susceptibility index (SSI) analyses of the genotypes, it was found that the most drought‐tolerant genotypes were Zdeb102 (0.50) and Ceyhan 99 (0.54). The highest protein content and wet gluten content were found as 11.38% and 22.24% in the Sagittario variety, respectively. It is recommended that Zdeb102 and Ceyhan 99 be cultivated in regions such as Kahramanmaras which have semi‐arid climate characteristics in the Mediterranean.
Color‐tunable luminescence and energy transfer of Eu3+/Tb3+ co‐doped borophosphate glass for anti‐counterfeiting
Authors: Zeng Lin , Liu Siling , Zhang Wentao , Zhou Xianzhu , Pan Liqiao , Huang Yi
Published: November 2023

Eu3+/Tb3+ co‐doped borophosphate glass was synthesized by a melt‐quenching method for the luminescence color‐tunable performance. Under the excitation of 373 nm, the Tb3+‐doped glass exhibited a very strong green emission at 544 nm, corresponding to the electron transition 5D4→7F5 of Tb3+. The emission intensity and lifetime of 5D4 level of Tb3+ dropped with the increase of Eu3+ co‐doping, whereas the emission intensity and lifetime of Eu3+ at 615 nm increased, confirming the existence of energy transfer from Tb3+ to Eu3+. Additionally, the color‐tunable luminescence of the borophosphate glass was also realized from green region to orange‐red region through shifting the Eu3+/Tb3+ ion concentration and the excitation light. There was little difference in emission intensity of Eu3+/Tb3+ co‐doped borophosphate glass under working temperature between 303 and 483 K, manifesting excellent thermal stability. This study indicated that the Eu3+/Tb3+ co‐doped borophosphate glass could become a promising candidate for the applications of anti‐counterfeiting technology.
A dimensional analysis of nursing unit culture
Authors: Leep‐Lazar Kathryn , Stimpfel Amy Witkoski
Published: November 2023

Aim(s)

Organizational culture has been studied for over four decades among nurses, across countries and contexts. However, wide variation exists in how the concept has been defined and at what level of the organization it is measured. The aim of this study was to use a dimensional analysis to conduct a conceptual synthesis of unit culture from a nursing perspective.

Design

Dimensional analysis, rooted in grounded theory methodology, was used to describe unit culture from a nursing perspective.

Methods

A literature search was conducted in April 2022. Inclusion criteria were (1) peer review publications, (2) used the term ‘unit culture’ or ‘ward culture’, (3) references nurses' role in unit culture, (4) published in the last 20 years and (5) written in English. One hundred fifteen articles met inclusion criteria, but dimensional saturation was researched after coding 24 articles.

Results

Findings were synthesized into four core dimensions and 10 subdimensions. Dimensions of unit culture included customs (practice norms, communication and prioritization), shared beliefs (assumptions, values and attitudes), hierarchy (social and informational) and atmosphere (emotional climate and collaboration). Conditions that shape unit culture include individual nurse characteristics, working conditions, unit policies/procedures and leadership. Unit culture impacts nurse work experiences and decision‐making processes, which can affect outcomes including nurse wellbeing, practice behaviours and adherence to unit policies.

Conclusions

Identifying the dimensions of unit culture helps to bring clarity to a concept that is not well defined in existing literature.

Impact

This model of unit culture can be used to guide development of new instruments to measure unit culture or guide researchers in utilizing existing measures. Developing measures specific to unit culture are warranted to strengthen researchers' ability to assess how changing conditions of a unit (e.g. leadership, workload) changes unit culture and its related outcomes.

Patient or Public Contribution

No Patient or Public Contribution.
Stream diatom community assembly processes in islands and continents: A global perspective
Authors: Pérez‐Burillo Javier , Jamoneau Aurélien , Passy Sophia I. , Tison‐Rosebery Juliette , Blanco Saúl , Borrini Alex , Boutry Sébastien , Budnick William R. , Cantonati Marco , Valente Adelaide Clode , Delgado Cristina , Dörflinger Gerald , Gonçalves Vítor , He Siwen , Jyrkänkallio‐Mikkola Jenny , Kennedy Bryan , Marquié Julien , Marques Helena , Papatheodoulou Athina , Pajunen Virpi , Raposeiro Pedro Miguel , Ritter Catarina , Serafim António , Teittinen Anette , Tupola Vilja , Van de Vijver Bart , Wang Jianjun , Wang Beixin , Soininen Janne
Published: November 2023

Aim

Understanding the roles of deterministic and stochastic processes in community assembly is essential for gaining insights into the biogeographical patterns of biodiversity. However, the way community assembly processes operate is still not fully understood, especially in oceanic islands. In this study, we examine the importance of assembly processes in shaping diatom communities in islands and continents, while also investigating the influence of climate and local water chemistry variables on species distributions.

Location

Global.

Taxon

Stream benthic diatoms.

Methods

We used diatom datasets from five continents and 19 islands and applied beta diversity analyses with a null model approach and hierarchical joint species distribution modelling. To facilitate comparisons with continents, we used continental area equivalents (CAEs), which represent continental subsets with comparable areas and the same number of study sites as their corresponding islands counterparts.

Results

We found that homogeneous selection (i.e., communities being more similar than the random expectation) was the dominant assembly process within islands whereas stochastic processes tended to be more important within continents. In addition, assembly processes were influenced by study scale and island isolation. Climatic variables showed a greater influence on species distribution than local factors. However, in islands, local environmental variables had a greater impact on the distributions of unique taxa as opposed to non‐unique taxa.

Main Conclusions

We observed that the assembly processes of diatom communities were complex and influenced by a combination of deterministic and stochastic forces, which varied across spatial scales. In islands, there was no universal pattern of assembly processes, given that their influence depends on abiotic conditions such as area, isolation, and environmental heterogeneity. In addition, the sensitivity of species occurring uniquely in islands to local environmental variables suggests that they are perhaps less vulnerable to climatic changes but may be more influenced by changes in local physicochemistry.
Genetic variants in hypoxia‐inducible factor pathway are associated with colorectal cancer risk and immune infiltration
Authors: Guo Mengfan , Lin Jie , Cao Xiangming , Zhou Jieyu , Ben Shuai , Chen Silu , Chu Haiyan , Miao Lin , Li Shuwei , Gu Dongying
Published: November 2023

Hypoxia‐inducible factor (HIF) pathway genes influence tumorigenesis and immune status. However, the associations between genetic variants in hypoxia‐related genes and colorectal cancer risk and the immune status of hypoxia‐associated genes in colorectal cancer have not been systematically characterized. The associations between genetic variants and colorectal cancer risk were evaluated in Chinese, Japanese and European populations using logistic regression analysis. The relationships between target genes and tumour immune infiltration were predicted by Tumour Immune Estimation Resource (TIMER). We found that rs34533650 in EPAS1 was associated with colorectal cancer risk (OR = 1.43, 95% CI = 1.20–1.70, P(FDR) = 8.35 × 10−4), and this finding was validated in two independent populations (Japanese: OR = 1.07, 95% CI = 1.01–1.15, p = 3.38 × 10−2; European: OR = 1.11, 95% CI = 1.03–1.19, p = 6.04 × 10−3). EPAS1‐associated genes were enriched in immune‐related pathways. In addition, we found that EPAS1 copy number variation (CNV) was associated with the degree of infiltration of immune cells and observed correlations between EPAS1 expression and immune cell infiltration levels in colorectal cancer. These results highlight that genetic variants of hypoxia‐related genes play roles in colorectal cancer risk and provide new insight that EPAS1 might be a promising predictor of colorectal cancer susceptibility and immune status.
Home alone or connected: Caregiver communication and training from health providers
Authors: Howe Rebecca J. , Bell Janice F. , Agnoli Alicia , Sullivan Jennifer L. , Bidwell Julie T.
Published: November 2023

Background

As care shifts from institutional to community settings, family caregivers are providing increasing support to older adults, including complex medical/nursing care. In the mid‐late pandemic, technology advancements such as use of online patient portals present opportunities for communication and care delivery. This study aims to assess the association between caregiver medical/nursing tasks or patient portal use with contact, communication, and training of caregivers by healthcare providers.

Methods

We conducted a cross‐sectional analysis of caregiver data from the 2021 National Study of Caregiving (NSOC), linked to the National Health and Aging Trends Study (NHATS). NHATS is nationally‐representative, annual survey of Medicare enrollees; NSOC surveys family/unpaid caregivers of NHATS participants. Logistic regression tested association between whether the caregiver does medical/nursing tasks or uses an online patient portal to contact the medical team (independent variables), and communication with or training by the medical team (dependent variables).

Results

Participants were 1590 caregivers of living, community‐dwelling older adults. More than half (54%) reported no contact with the care recipient's medical team in the past year. Caregivers who did medical/nursing tasks (OR = 3.10; 95% CI: 2.16, 4.46) or who used patient portals (OR = 3.28; 95% CI: 1.96, 5.51) had higher odds of contacting the older adult's medical team. Thirty percent of caregivers stated communication was either not at all or just a little helpful. Sixty‐seven percent reported that providers rarely asked if they needed help managing the older adult's treatments. Just 6% of caregivers reported receiving any caregiver training in the last year.

Conclusions

Both medical/nursing tasks and online patient portal use were independently associated with contact with health providers. Overall contact, communication, and training were limited or of variable value. Despite recent policy changes and technology advancement, there is still a need for improved integration of caregivers into health teams with ongoing assessment of their needs.
Association of the Drug Burden Index (DBI) exposure with outcomes: A systematic review
Authors: Liu Bonnie M. , Kouladjian O'Donnell Lisa , Redston Mitchell R. , Fujita Kenji , Thillainadesan Janani , Gnjidic Danijela , Hilmer Sarah N.
Published: November 2023

Background

The Drug Burden Index (DBI) measures an individual's total exposure to anticholinergic and sedative medications. This systematic review aimed to investigate the association of the DBI with clinical and prescribing outcomes in observational pharmaco‐epidemiological studies, and the effect of DBI exposure on functional outcomes in pre‐clinical models.

Methods

A systematic search of nine electronic databases, citation indexes and gray literature was performed (April 1, 2007–December 31, 2022). Studies that reported primary data on the association of the DBI with clinical or prescribing outcomes conducted in any setting in humans aged ≥18 years or animals were included. Quality assessment was performed using the Joanna Briggs Institute critical appraisal tools and the Systematic Review Centre for Laboratory animal Experimentation risk of bias tool.

Results

Of 2382 studies screened, 70 met the inclusion criteria (65 in humans, five in animals). In humans, outcomes reported included function (n = 56), cognition (n = 20), falls (n = 14), frailty (n = 7), mortality (n = 9), quality of life (n = 8), hospitalization (n = 7), length of stay (n = 5), readmission (n = 1), other clinical outcomes (n = 15) and prescribing outcomes (n = 2). A higher DBI was significantly associated with increased falls (11/14, 71%), poorer function (31/56, 55%), and cognition (11/20, 55%) related outcomes. Narrative synthesis was used due to significant heterogeneity in the study population, setting, study type, definition of DBI, and outcome measures. Results could not be pooled due to heterogeneity. In animals, outcomes reported included function (n = 18), frailty (n = 2), and mortality (n = 1). In pre‐clinical studies, a higher DBI caused poorer function and frailty.

Conclusions

A higher DBI may be associated with an increased risk of falls and decreased function and cognition. Higher DBI was inconsistently associated with increased mortality, length of stay, frailty, hospitalization or reduced quality of life. Human observational findings with respect to functional outcomes are supported by preclinical interventional studies. The DBI may be used as a tool to identify older adults at higher risk of harm.
Flight to Safety or Liquidity? Dissecting Liquidity Shortages in the Financial Crisis
Authors: DONG FENG , WEN YI
Published: November 2023

We differentiate the liquidity and the quality of private assets in a tractable incomplete‐market model with heterogeneous agents. The model decomposes the convenience yield of government bonds into a “liquidity premium” (flight to liquidity) and a “safety premium” (flight to quality) over the business cycle. When calibrated to match the U.S. aggregate output fluctuations and bond premiums, the model reveals that a sharp reduction in the quality, instead of the liquidity, of private assets was the culprit of the recent financial crisis, consistent with the perception that it was the subprime‐mortgage problem that triggered the Great Recession. Since the provision of public liquidity endogenously affects the provision of private liquidity, our model indicates that excessive injection of public liquidity during a financial crisis can be welfare reducing under either conventional or unconventional policies. In particular, too much intervention for too long can depress capital investment.
Phenotypic response of a core collection of Aegilops triuncialis accessions to wheat leaf rust and expression pattern of genes involved in resistance
Authors: Hosseini Marzieh Sadat , Davoudnia Behnam , Dadkhodaie Ali , Heidari Bahram
Published: November 2023

Leaf rust caused by Puccinia triticina Eriks. is a serious threat to wheat production worldwide. Exploiting wild relatives can effectively help to improve the genetic resistance of wheat against rust. This study aimed to evaluate the responses of 34 Aegilops triuncialis accessions to seven Pt pathotypes and to analyse expression of genes associated with resistance at the seedling stage. Following multipathotype testing, two accessions with contrasting resistance were analysed at 0, 6, 12 and 24 h post‐inoculation for the expression profile of genes related to PR1, PR2, PR4, PR9, phenylalanine ammonia‐lyase and ATP‐binding cassette transporter. Of the accessions tested, eight showed high infection types of “3” to at least one Pt pathotype, while the remaining accessions had low ITs (“0;=” to “2+”) against all pathotypes. The relative expressions of all candidate genes increased at all‐time points, but the expression level in the incompatible interaction was significantly higher than that of the compatible. The close relationship between PR proteins, PAL, salicylic acid‐ and jasmonic acid‐responsive proteins, as well as the proteins involved in the production of reactive oxygen species and lignin, could point to the specific recognition of the pathogen followed by the timely and intense induction of the expression of PR genes as the main reasons for resistance in incompatible interaction. In conclusion, the present study identified potentially new sources of resistance in this Ae. triuncialis population, which can be exploited in wheat breeding programs.
Prevalence of nonconvulsive seizures and nonconvulsive status epilepticus in dogs and cats with a history of cluster seizures: A retrospective study
Authors: Tästensen Carina , Gutmann Sarah , Loderstedt Shenja , Flegel Thomas , Demeny Helga , Baum Petra
Published: November 2023

Background

Nonconvulsive seizures (NCS) and nonconvulsive status epilepticus (NCSE) are frequently observed in human patients. Diagnosis of NCS and NCSE only can be achieved by the use of electroencephalography (EEG). Electroencephalographic monitoring is rare in veterinary medicine and consequently there is limited data on frequency of NCS and NCSE.

Objectives

Determine the prevalence of NCS and NCSE in dogs and cats with a history of cluster seizures.

Animals

Twenty‐six dogs and 12 cats.

Methods

Retrospective study. Medical records of dogs and cats with cluster seizures were reviewed. Electroencephalography was performed in order to identify electrographic seizure activity after the apparent cessation of convulsive seizure activity.

Results

Nonconvulsive seizures were detected in 9 dogs and 2 cats out of the 38 patients (29%). Nonconvulsive status epilepticus was detected in 4 dogs and 2 cats (16%). Five patients had both NCS and NCSE. A decreased level of consciousness was evident in 6/11 patients with NCS, 3/6 also had NCSE. Mortality rate for patients with NCS (73%) and NCSE (67%) was much higher than that for patients with no seizure activity on EEG (27%).

Conclusion and Clinical Importance

Prevalence of NCS and NCSE is high in dogs and cats with a history of cluster seizures. Nonconvulsive seizures and NCSE are difficult to detect clinically and are associated with higher in hospital mortality rates. Results indicate that prompt EEG monitoring should be performed in dogs and cats with cluster seizures.
Who Runs for Higher Office? Electoral Institutions and Level‐Hopping Attempts in Germany's State Legislatures
Authors: Carella Leonardo
Published: November 2023

Do electoral institutions matter for subnational legislators’ career choices in a multi‐level polity? The paper considers this question by analyzing candidacies of sitting German State MPs for the Federal parliament (“level‐hopping attempts”), leveraging cross‐ and within‐legislature variation in electoral rules (due to the widespread adoption of mixed‐member systems in Germany's subnational parliaments). State MPs elected via list PR can be expected to be more likely to attempt level‐hopping than those elected in the single‐member districts (SMD) tier, as the former face lower re‐election rates and the latter are more directly accountable to their constituency's voters. Empirical evidence from a novel dataset of over 8000 State legislators spanning 10 Federal elections (1987–2021) confirms this hypothesis. It is also shown that the difference in behavior across tiers is more marked when State MPs run for insecure Federal candidacies than when they are offered secure candidacies. The findings suggest that subnational electoral institutions play a role in enabling or constraining legislators' progressive ambition. Moreover, they highlight a previously overlooked dimension of the “mandate divide” between MPs belonging to different electoral tiers of mixed‐member systems.
Time‐inconsistent contract theory
Authors: Hernández Camilo , Possamaï Dylan
Published: November 2023

This paper investigates the moral hazard problem in finite horizon with both continuous and lump‐sum payments, involving a time‐inconsistent sophisticated agent and a standard utility maximizer principal: Building upon the so‐called dynamic programming approach in Cvitanić et al. (2018) and the recently available results in Hernández and Possamaï (2023), we present a methodology that covers the previous contracting problem. Our main contribution consists of a characterization of the moral hazard problem faced by the principal. In particular, it shows that under relatively mild technical conditions on the data of the problem, the supremum of the principal's expected utility over a smaller restricted family of contracts is equal to the supremum over all feasible contracts. Nevertheless, this characterization yields, as far as we know, a novel class of control problems that involve the control of a forward Volterra equation via Volterra‐type controls, and infinite‐dimensional stochastic target constraints. Despite the inherent challenges associated with such a problem, we study the solution under three different specifications of utility functions for both the agent and the principal, and draw qualitative implications from the form of the optimal contract. The general case remains the subject of future research. We illustrate some of our results in the context of a project selection contracting problem between an investor and a time‐inconsistent manager.
Nanophase magnetite in matrix of anomalous EL3 chondrite Northwest Africa (NWA) 8785
Authors: Weisberg M. K. , Zolensky M. E. , Kimura M. , Howard K. T. , Ebel D. S. , Gray M. L. , Alexander C. M. O'D.
Published: November 2023

NWA 8785 is a remarkable EL3 chondrite with a high abundance (~34 vol%) of an Fe‐rich matrix. This is the highest matrix abundance known among enstatite chondrites (ECs) and more similar to the matrix abundances in some carbonaceous and Rumuruti chondrites. X‐ray diffraction and TEM data indicate that the fine‐grained portion of the NWA 8785 matrix consists of nanoscale magnetite mixed with a noncrystalline silicate material and submicron‐sized enstatite and plagioclase grains. This is the first report of magnetite nanoparticles in an EL3. The Si content of the metal (0.7 wt%), presence of ferroan alabandite, and its O isotopic composition indicate NWA 8785 is EL3‐related. Having more abundant matrix than in other ECs, and that the matrix is rich in magnetite nanoparticles, which are not present in any other EC, suggest classification as an EL3 anomalous. Although we cannot completely exclude any of the mechanisms or environments for formation of the magnetite, we find a secondary origin to be the most compelling. We suggest that the magnetite formed due to hydrothermal activity in the meteorite parent body. Although ECs are relatively dry and likely formed within the nebular snow line, ices may have drifted inward from just beyond the snow line to the region where the EL chondrites were accreting, or more likely the snow line migrated inward during the early evolution of the solar system. This may have resulted in the condensation of ices and provided an ice‐rich region for accretion of the EL3 parent body. Thus, the EL3 parent body may have had hydrothermal activity and if Earth formed near the EC accretion zone, similar bodies may have contributed to the Earth's water supply. NWA 8785 greatly extends the range of known characteristics of ECs and EC parent body processes.
The Golden meteorite fall: Fireball trajectory, orbit, and meteorite characterization
Authors: Brown P. G. , McCausland P. J. A. , Hildebrand A. R. , Hanton L. T. J. , Eckart L. M. , Busemann H. , Krietsch D. , Maden C. , Welten K. , Caffee M. W. , Laubenstein M. , Vida D. , Ciceri F. , Silber E. , Herd C. D. K. , Hill P. , Devillepoix H. , Sansom Eleanor K. , Cupák Martin , Anderson Seamus , Flemming R. L. , Nelson A. J. , Mazur M. , Moser D. E. , Cooke W. J. , Hladiuk D. , Malečić Barbara , Prtenjak Maja Telišman , Nowell R. ,   The Golden Meteorite Consortium
Published: November 2023

The Golden (British Columbia, Canada) meteorite fall occurred on October 4, 2021 at 0534 UT with the first recovered fragment (1.3 kg) landing on an occupied bed. The associated fireball was recorded by numerous cameras permitting reconstruction of its trajectory and orbit. The fireball entered the atmosphere at a 54° angle from the horizontal at a speed of 18 km s−1. The fireball reached a peak brightness of −14, having first become luminous at a height of >84 km and ending at 18 km altitude. Analysis of the infrasonic record of the bolide produced an estimated mass of kg while modeling of the fireball light curve suggests an initial mass near 70 kg. The fireball experienced a major flare near 31 km altitude where more than half its mass was lost in the form of dust and gram‐sized fragments under a dynamic pressure of 3.3 MPa. The strength and fragmentation behavior of the fireball were similar to those reported for other meteorite‐producing fireballs (Borovička et al., 2020). Seven days after the fireball occurred, an additional 0.9 kg fragment was recovered during the second day of dedicated searching guided by initial trajectory and dark flight calculations. Additional searching in the fall and spring of 2021–2022 located no additional fragments. The meteorite is an unbrecciated, low‐shock (S2) ordinary chondrite of intermediate composition, typed as an L/LL5 with a grain density of ~3530 k gm−3, an average bulk density of 3150 kg m−3 and calculated porosity of ~10%. From noble gas measurements, the cosmic ray exposure age is 25 ± 4 Ma while gas retention ages are all >2 Ga. Short‐lived radionuclides and noble gas measurements of the pre‐atmospheric size overlap with estimates from infrasound and light curve modeling producing a preferred pre‐atmospheric mass of 70–200 kg. The orbit of Golden has a high inclination (23.5°) and is consistent with delivery from the inner main belt. The highest probability (60%) of an origin is from the Hungaria group. We propose that Golden may originate among the background S‐type asteroids found interspersed in the Hungaria region. The current collection of 18 L/LL—chondrite orbits shows a strong preference for origins in the inner main belt, suggesting multiple parent bodies may be required to explain the diversity in CRE ages and shock states.
Geophysical and structural analyses of the Middlesboro impact structure, Kentucky, USA: Reactivation of a thrust detachment of the Appalachian foreland fold‐and‐thrust belt
Authors: Wihanto Lars , Kenkmann Thomas
Published: November 2023

This paper reports on the Middlesboro impact structure (36°37′03″ N; 83°43′39″ W), a complex impact structure located in the Appalachian foreland fold‐and‐thrust belt of southeast Kentucky, USA. The structure forms a basin approximately 5.5 km in diameter exposing intensely deformed Pennsylvanian sediments. Based on field data, microstructural observation, and geophysical analyses we qualitatively assess degree and distribution of fragmentation of target rocks within the impact structure. Shock deformation features, especially feather features, are reported for the impact structure. Shallow seismic refraction data were acquired along a radial profile from outside the impact structure to the center of the structure. Seismic (P‐wave) velocity trends indicate that fracture intensity increases toward the center, reducing the overall seismic velocity. However, intense rock sealing in some parts of the central uplift increases the strength of rock samples and locally increases seismic velocities. We present a modified geologic map of the Middlesboro impact structure based on high‐resolution lineament analysis, field work, and reevaluation of existing structural data from geologic maps. The modified map suggests that crater circularity at Middlesboro is skewed by the reactivation of pre‐existing zones of structural anisotropy in the target. We propose that due to an oblique impact from northerly direction the sub‐horizontal Pine Mountain thrust plane beneath the impact structure became reactivated with a top‐to‐the south shear component. The impact‐induced formation/reactivation of the Doublings Fault Zone as a thrust ramp appears to have deflected the otherwise straight strike of the Cumberland Mountains southward. The Rocky Face fault approaches the crater rim fault, and we propose that this sinistral strike‐slip fault was formed, or at least reactivated, by the impact and accommodated the oblique impact's horizontal momentum.
Assessing fine‐scale pondscape connectivity with amphibian eyes: An integrative approach using genomic and capture–mark–recapture data
Authors: Reyes‐Moya Ismael , Sánchez‐Montes Gregorio , Babik Wieslaw , Dudek Katarzyna , Martínez‐Solano Íñigo
Published: November 2023

In the face of habitat loss, preserving functional connectivity is essential to maintain genetic diversity and the demographic dynamics required for the viability of biotic communities. This requires knowledge of the dispersal behaviour of target species, which can be modelled as kernels, or probability density functions of dispersal distances at increasing geographic distances. We present an integrative approach to investigate the relationships between genetic connectivity and demographic parameters in organisms with low vagility focusing on five syntopic pond‐breeding amphibians. We genotyped 1056 individuals of two anuran and three urodele species (1732–3913 SNPs per species) from populations located in a landscape comprising 64 ponds to characterize fine‐scale genetic structure in a comparative framework, and combined these genetic data with information obtained in a previous 2‐year capture–mark–recapture (CMR) study. Specifically, we contrasted graphs reconstructed from genomic data with connectivity graphs based on dispersal kernels and demographic information obtained from CMR data from previous studies, and assessed the effects of population size, population density, geographical distances, inverse movement probabilities and the presence of habitat patches potentially functioning as stepping stones on genetic differentiation. Our results show a significant effect of local population sizes on patterns of genetic differentiation at small spatial scales. In addition, movement records and cluster‐derived kernels provide robust inferences on most likely dispersal paths that are consistent with genomic inferences on genetic connectivity. The integration of genetic and CMR data holds great potential for understanding genetic connectivity at spatial scales relevant to individual organisms, with applications for the implementation of management actions at the landscape level.
A comprehensive study of the interactions in the B. subtilis degradosome with special emphasis on the role of the small proteins SR1P and SR7P
Authors: Haq Inam Ul , Müller Peter , Brantl Sabine
Published: November 2023

Here, we employ coelution experiments and far‐western blotting to identify stable interactions between the main components of the B. subtilis degradosome and the small proteins SR1P and SR7P. Our data indicate that B. subtilis has a degradosome comprising at least RNases Y and PnpA, enolase, phosphofructokinase, glycerol‐3‐phosphate dehydrogenase GapA, and helicase CshA that can be co‐purified without cross‐linking. All interactions were corroborated by far‐western blotting with proteins purified from E. coli. Previously, we discovered that stress‐induced SR7P binds enolase to enhance its interaction with and activity of enolase‐bound RNase Y (RnY), while SR1P transcribed under gluconeogenic conditions interacts with GapA to stimulate its interaction with and the activity of RnjA (RnjA). We show that SR1P can directly bind RnjA, RnY, and PnpA independently of GapA, whereas SR7P only interacts with enolase. Northern blotting suggests that the degradation of individual RNAs in B. subtilis under gluconeogenic or stress conditions depends on either RnjA or RnY alone or on RnjA‐SR1P, RnY‐SR1P, or RnY‐Eno. In vitro degradation assays with RnY or RnjA substrates corroborate the in vivo role of SR1P. Currently, it is unknown which substrate property is decisive for the utilization of one of the complexes.
Temperature responses of leaf respiration in light and darkness are similar and modulated by leaf development
Authors: Zheng Ding Ming , Wang Xuming , Liu Qi , Sun Yan Ran , Ma Wei Ting , Li Lei , Yang Zhijie , Tcherkez Guillaume , Adams Mark A. , Yang Yusheng , Gong Xiao Ying
Published: November 2023

Our ability to predict temperature responses of leaf respiration in light and darkness (RL and RDk) is essential to models of global carbon dynamics. While many models rely on constant thermal sensitivity (characterized by Q10), uncertainty remains as to whether Q10 of RL and RDk are actually similar.

We measured short‐term temperature responses of RL and RDk in immature and mature leaves of two evergreen tree species, Castanopsis carlesii and Ormosia henry in an open field. RL was estimated by the Kok method, the Yin method and a newly developed Kok‐iterCc method.

When estimated by the Yin and Kok‐iterCc methods, RL and RDk had similar Q10 (c. 2.5). The Kok method overestimated both Q10 and the light inhibition of respiration. RL/RDk was not affected by leaf temperature. Acclimation of respiration in summer was associated with a decline in basal respiration but not in Q10 in both species, which was related to changes in leaf nitrogen content between seasons. Q10 of RL and RDk in mature leaves were 40% higher than in immature leaves.

Our results suggest similar Q10 values can be used to model RL and RDk while leaf development‐associated changes in Q10 require special consideration in future respiration models.
Inaccurate fossil placement does not compromise tip‐dated divergence times
Authors: Mongiardino Koch Nicolás , Garwood Russell J. , Parry Luke A.
Published: November 2023

Time‐scaled phylogenies underpin the interrogation of evolutionary processes across deep timescales, as well as attempts to link these to Earth's history. By inferring the placement of fossils and using their ages as temporal constraints, tip dating under the fossilized birth–death (FBD) process provides a coherent prior on divergence times. At the same time, it also links topological and temporal accuracy, as incorrectly placed fossil terminals should misinform divergence times. This could pose serious issues for obtaining accurate node ages, yet the interaction between topological and temporal error has not been thoroughly explored. We simulate phylogenies and associated morphological datasets using methodologies that incorporate evolution under selection, and are benchmarked against empirical datasets. We find that datasets of 300 characters and realistic levels of missing data generally succeed in inferring the correct placement of fossils on a constrained extant backbone topology, and that true node ages are usually contained within Bayesian posterior distributions. While increased fossil sampling improves the accuracy of inferred ages, topological and temporal errors do not seem to be linked: analyses in which fossils resolve less accurately do not exhibit elevated errors in node age estimates. At the same time, inferred divergence times are biased, probably due to a mismatch between the FBD prior and the shape of our simulated trees. While these results are encouraging, suggesting that even fossils with uncertain affinities can provide useful temporal information, they also emphasize that palaeontological information cannot overturn discrepancies between model priors and the true diversification history.
Prediction of drinking water quality with machine learning models: A public health nursing approach
Authors: Özsezer Gözde , Mermer Gülengül
Published: November 2023

Objective

The aim of this study is to use machine learning models to predict drinking water quality from a public health nursing approach.

Design

Machine learning study.

Sample

“Water Quality Dataset” was used in the study. The dataset contains physical and chemical measurements of water quality for 2400 different water bodies. The process consists of four stages: Data processing with Synthetic Minority Oversampling Technique, hyperparameter tuning with 10‐fold cross‐validation, modeling and comparative analysis. 80% of the dataset is allocated as training data and 20% as test data. ML models logistic regression, K‐nearest neighbor, support vector machine, random forest, XGBoost, AdaBoost Classifier, Decision Tree algorithms were used for water quality prediction. Accuracy, precision, recall, F1 score and AUC performance metrics of ML models were compared. To evaluate the performance of the models, 10‐fold cross‐validation was used and a comparative analysis was performed. The p‐values of the models were also compared.

Results

N this study, where drinking water quality was predicted with seven different ML algorithms, it can be said that XGBoost and Random Forest are the best classification models in all performance metrics. There is a significant difference in all ML algorithms according to the p‐value. The H0 hypothesis is accepted for these algorithms. According to the H0 hypothesis, there is no difference between actual values and predicted values.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the use of ML models in the prediction of drinking water quality can help nurses greatly improve access to clean water, a human right, be more knowledgeable about water quality, and protect the health of individuals.
Broad‐spectrum antagonistic potential of Bacillus spp. volatiles against Rhizoctonia solani and Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae
Authors: Ali Qurban , Khan Abdur Rashid , Tao Sheng , Rajer Faheem Uddin , Ayaz Muhammad , Abro Manzoor Ali , Gu Qin , Wu Huijun , Kuptsov Vladislav , Kolomiets Emilia , Gao Xuewen
Published: November 2023

Rhizoctonia solani and Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae (Xoo) are the two major diseases affecting the quality and quantity of rice production. In the current study, volatile organic compounds (VOCs) of Bacillus spp. were used as green biocontrol agents for plant diseases. In in vitro experiments, Bacillus spp. FZB42, NMTD17, and LLTC93‐VOCs displayed strong antimicrobial volatile activity with inhibition rates of 76, 66, and 78% for R. solani and 78, 81, and 76% for Xoo, respectively, compared to control. The synthetic VOCs, namely Pentadecane (PDC), Benzaldehyde (BDH), 1,2‐Benz isothiazol‐3(2H)‐one (1,2‐BIT), and mixture (MIX) of VOCs showed high volatile activity with inhibition rates of 86, 86, 89, and 92% against R. solani and 81, 81, 82, and 86%, respectively, against Xoo as compared to control. In addition, the scanning and transmission electron microscopes (SEM and TEM) analyses were performed to examine the effect of Bacillus and synthetic VOC treatments on R. solani and Xoo morphology. The analysis revealed the deformed and irregularized morphology of R. solani mycelia and Xoo cells after VOC treatments. The microscopic analysis showed that the rapid inhibition was due to severe oxidative productions inside the R. solani mycelia and Xoo cells. By using molecular docking, it was determined that the synthetic VOCs entered the active binding site of trehalase and NADH dehydrogenase proteins, causing R. solani and Xoo cells to die prematurely and an accumulation of ROS. In the greenhouse experiment, FZB42, NMTD17, and LLTC93‐VOCs significantly reduced the lesions of R. solani 8, 7, and 6 cm, and Xoo 7, 6, and 6 cm, respectively, then control. The synthetic VOCs demonstrated that the PDC, BDH, 1,2‐BIT, and MIX‐VOCs significantly reduced R. solani lesions on leaves 6, 6, 6, and 5 cm and Xoo 6, 5, 5, and 4 cm, respectively, as compared to control. Furthermore, plant defence‐related genes and antioxidant enzymes were upregulated in rice plants. These findings provide novel mechanisms by which Bacillus antimicrobial VOCs control plant diseases.