This is the first study to document the genetic diversity of the white-tailed deer population on St. John, US Virgin Islands. The island population was founded by a small number of animals, has very limited hunting or predation, and recently experienced a reduction in size following an extended drought in 2015. DNA samples were collected from hair from 23 anesthetized adult deer (13 males, 10 females) ranging in age from 1-8 years (3.36+ 1.9 yr) and also from fecal DNA samples, for a total of 42 individuals analyzed for genetic diversity. The St. John deer data set averaged 4.19 alleles per marker and demonstrates the second lowest number of alleles (A) when compared to other populations of Odocoileus virginianus (4.19). Heterozygosity was similar to the other studies (0.54) with little evidence of inbreeding. To explain the level of heterogygosity and lack of inbreeding within the St. John population, three hypotheses are proposed, including the effect of intrinsic biological traits within the population, a recent infusion of highly heterogeneous loci from North American populations, and a consistent level of immigration from a nearby island. Additional work is needed to further understand the genetic history of the St. John and regional deer populations.

1. Dietary specialization is common in animals and has important implications for individual fitness, inter- and intraspecific competition, and the adaptive potential of a species. Differences in diet composition have been well-studied in shorebirds and their allies (Charadriiformes) and can be influenced by an individual’s morphology, social status, and acquired skills. In particular, sexual size dimorphism is thought to facilitate resource partitioning in some shorebird species. 2. We assessed the role of age- and sex-related dietary specialization in facilitating resource partitioning between seasons and among demographic groups in the sexually dimorphic western sandpiper (Calidris mauri). Using stable isotope mixing models, we quantified the contribution of biofilm, microphytobenthos, and benthic invertebrates to the diets of western sandpipers during mid-winter (January/February) and at the onset of the breeding migration (April). 3. Diet composition differed between seasons, among demographic groups, and among demographic groups within each season. In winter, prey consumption was similar among demographic groups, but, in spring, diet composition differed among demographic groups with bill length and body mass explaining 31% of the total variation in diet composition. Epifaunal invertebrates made up a greater proportion of the diet in males which had lesser mass and shorter bills than females. Consumption of Polychaeta increased with increasing bill length and was greatest in adult females. In contrast, consumption of microphytobenthos, thought to supply nutrition for migrating sandpipers, increased with decreasing bill length and was greatest in juvenile males. 4. Our results provide evidence that age- and sex-related dietary specialization in western sandpipers facilitate seasonal resource partitioning that would reduce competition during spring at the onset of the breeding migration. 5. Understanding resource partitioning throughout the annual cycle and among different demographic groups is critical because dietary specialization has important implications for the ecology, evolution, and conservation of a species.

Palmitoleic acid shows a variety of beneficial properties to human health. In this study, enrichment of palmitoleic acid from sea buckthorn pulp oil by crystallization and molecular distillation was investigated. Sea buckthorn pulp oil was first converted to its corresponding mixed fatty acids (SPOMFs) that contained 27.17% palmitoleic acid. Subsequently, the effect of various factors on crystallization (i.e., crystallization temperature, solvent, ratio of SPOMFs to solvent (w/v), crystallization time) and molecular distillation (distillation temperature) were assessed on a 5-g scale. It was found that optimal crystallization conditions were a 1:15 ratio of SPOMFs to methanol (w/v) at -20 °C for 12 h, while the optimal temperature for molecular distillation was 100 °C. These conditions were utilized to obtain a liquid oil comprising 54.18% palmitoleic acid with an overall yield of 56.31%. This method has great potential for adoption by the food and medical industries for the preparation of palmitoleic acid concentrate for nutritional studies.

Organic conductive polymers have great significance due to their wide range of applications in optoelectronics and material sciences. In this study, pyrrole-benzothiadiazole/benzoselenadiazole based type green polymers were undertaken computational work to investigate the solubility of polymers. Structural, electronic, and optical properties of eight different polymers were predicted using DFT and TD-DFT at B3LYP/6-31G level on semi-empirical PM6-optimized geometries. It has been shown that the calculation results of synthesized green polymers are in great agreement with the experimental results. Alkylated 4,7-di(1H-pyrrol-2-yl)benzo-[c][1,2,5]thiadiazole (PB1) and 4,7-di(1H-pyrrol-2-yl)benzo[c][1,2,5]selenadiazole (PB7) monomers were studied to investigate the effect of alkyl chains on their electronic and optical properties. Butyl substituted more soluble polymers were shown to have low electronic energy gaps (1.27-1.55 eV). Moreover, the electronic energy gap values of the studied polymeric structures are in the appropriate range of technological applications (1.24-2.18 eV). The approach utilized in this study can be used to design new semi-conducting polymers.

Lumpy skin disease (LSD) is a vector-borne viral disease affecting cattle and water buffalo. This disease causes huge economic losses to dairy farmers due to the drastic reduction in milk production. This study describes the first confirmed outbreak of LSD in cattle and water buffalo from the Gandaki province of Nepal. Suspected outbreak sites in Kaski and Tanahun district of Gandaki Province were visited and 42 samples from 16 animals (12 cattle and 4 water buffalo) from 9 farms showing clinical signs were sampled and tested for LSD at the Central Veterinary Laboratory using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Clinical features exhibited by affected animals and their farm characteristics were recorded. The result showed that all 16 animals were positive for LSD. The overall morbidity was 4.85% (95% CI= 3.01- 7.73%) with cattle (7.23%) having higher morbidity compared to water buffaloes (2.44%). However, none of the affected animals died. In total, 93.7% (n= 15/16) of the affected animals had a milk loss with an average milk reduction of 58.7%. The major clinical features observed were swollen lymph nodes (100%), nasal and lachrymal discharge (81.25%), nodular lesions in skin (75%), and fever (50%). Vectors were present in all 9 farms and 5 out of 9 farms had a history of the introduction of new animals. In conclusion, this is the first official confirmation of LSD in the Gandaki province of Nepal. As the potential socio-economic impact of this is high due to the loss of milk production, the Gandaki province government in collaboration with the federal government should develop an appropriate control strategy including vaccination. We suggest government to practice risk-based ring vaccination in susceptible cattle and buffaloes surrounding the confirmed cases. Besides, cattle and buffalo movement need to be regulated. Keywords: Capripoxvirus; Large ruminants; Outbreak investigation; Vector; Vaccines

Fitness responses to environment can shape species distributions, though opposing eco-evolutionary processes can obscure environmental effects. For example, host specificity influences parasite dynamics, but is unclear how adaptation of parasites to local host communities may scale up to continental distributions. Here, we develop a macroecological framework to determine how host community structure affects the distribution of specialist and generalist populations of Striga hermonthica, an African parasitic plant of cereal crops. Combining data from global crop production and parasite experimental trials, we find that parasites perform best on the host species that is most common in their location of origin. Moreover, niche model contrasts predict parasite specialization on two hosts that evolved alongside Striga during domestication (pearl millet and sorghum), indicating that specialist parasites may be most likely to occur where host niches differ most in multivariate environmental space.  Our study demonstrates that patterns of parasite local adaptation to host communities can emerge at continental scales and that differential environmental tolerances of hosts indirectly shape the distribution of specialist and generalist parasites.  By predicting spatial dynamics of parasite specialization versus generalization directly from environmental data, our approach may help inform current and future management of pests and disease.

Background: Sexual dysfunction (SD) is a common but often unrecognized potential late effect among childhood cancer survivors (CCS). Unfortunately, both patients and providers report low levels of routine screening and identify multiple barriers, including lack of knowledge, discomfort, and limited time, particularly among CCS who are adolescent or young adult aged (AYA-CCS). One potential way to increase screening, detection and treatment for SD among AYA-CCS is to employ patient-reported outcomes measures. While adult screening tools exist, no SD screening tool has been evaluated specifically among this younger population. Procedure: This qualitative study used Think-Aloud and cognitive interviewing methods to obtain feedback from AYA-CCS on acceptability, usefulness, and validity of the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System® (PROMIS®) v2.0 Brief Profiles for Sexual Function and Satisfaction (SexFS Brief) in CCS now aged 15-24 years. Results: The SexFS Brief demonstrated acceptability, response process and content validity, and usefulness among AYA-CCS. There were no detectable differences by age or gender. This study did not reveal any necessary modifications to the SexFS Brief for this population. Conclusions: The PROMIS SexFS Brief is an acceptable and useful tool, with demonstrated response-process and content validity, and may facilitate improved screening and diagnosis of SD among AYA-CCS. Further, this tool was viewed favorably by AYA-CCS as a way to reduce barriers such as discomfort and lack of knowledge on the part of patients. Further evaluation of its effectiveness and acceptability in a clinical setting are warranted.

Abstract Introduction: The current study aimed to assess the efficacy of a new scanning procedure in fetal cardiac screening by 6 planes in the upper mediastinum. Methods: This is a prospective study. 123 normal fetuses without extracardiac abnormalities or CHD were enrolled in this study totally. Two sonographers with similar experience were trained for one month about how to obtain the added planes. Sonographer A used Color Doppler combined with the radiant flow (Color-R-flow) while sonographer B used high definition flow imaging combined with the radiant flow (HD-R-flow) to display 6 planes in the upper mediastinum. The difference between these two color modalities in subgroups of different fetal positions (supine, prone, and lateral position) was also discussed. Results: HD-R-flow has higher detection rates of the 6 planes than Color-R-flow. The differences presenting for the left innominate vein and azygos vein (LIV and AzV) view, bilateral subclavian arteries (BSA) view, and the bilateral internal thoracic arteries (BITA) view were significant (P<0.01). The results also demonstrated that HD-R-flow showed significantly higher detection rates than the Color-R-flow for the LIV and AzV view and the BITA view of the fetuses in the supine and lateral position, and BSA view of fetuses in lateral position. Conclusion: The current study introduced an enhanced scanning procedure to assess vessels in the fetal upper mediastinum. A new color-imaging technique was used to better show tiny vessels. This has confirmed its value in showing a satisfactory detection rate for the 6 cardiac planes.

The development of specific drug therapy for children was a paradigm changing event that transformed paediatric medical practice. However a series of tragedies involving drug treatment for children resulted in a gap developing between drug regulation and practice, with the majority of drugs used in child health care being used “off label” rendering children therapeutic orphans. Over the past two decades changes in drug regulation led by the US FDA and followed by the European Union’s EMA have led to substantial changes in how new drugs with potential use in children are studied and labelled. While these changes have substantially improved labeling for new drugs, there has been much less progress with older drugs. As well while the unique challenges of conducting clinical research in children have been addressed by novel clinical trial designs, many of these innovations have not been translated into approaches accepted for the drug approval process. The regulations applying to the need for paediatric studies currently are only applicable in the United States and the European Union, and there is less impetus for paediatric labeling in other jurisdictions. This impacts on a number of issues beyond labeling, including the availability of child-friendly formulations. Finally the impact of Brexit on paediatric drug studies in the UK remains unclear and subject to on-going negotiations between the UK government and the European Union.

Abstract Purpose: Explore the effect of resection of different parts of the maxilla on the prognosis of patients with nasal malignant tumors and promote its clinical selection of nasal endoscopic maxillectomy. Methods: The clinical data of patients with maxillary sinus tumors who underwent endoscopic maxillary resection from January 2013 to May 2020 were analyzed retrospectively and the surgical methods, tumor margin, recurrence and complications are summarized. Results: Among 30 patients (all available follow-up; mean: 17.8 months, range: 2–64 months; pT: T1–T4a), 17 (56.6%) underwent partial maxillary resection, nine (30.0%) total resection, two (6.7%) subtotal resection and two (6.7%) extended resection. There was no significant difference (Log Rank; P > 0.05) in the recurrence rate between endoscopic-assisted maxillectomy and trans-facial surgery. Conclusions: According to the range of tumor lesions and the possible base, different parts of the maxillary sinus can be removed selectively assisted by endoscopy. With the application of endoscopic-assisted maxillectomy, the function can be preserved as far as possible without increasing complications or recurrence rate, and the surgical field of view will be exposed more clearly.

The transmission of nerve signals is closely related to the incidence of aortic dis- eases. However, due to the multilayer and complex structure of the vascular wall, the mechanism of ion channel dynamics of aortic diseases has not been under- standing well. Here, we demonstrate that the ion channel dynamic behavior on neural information can be simulated by a stochastic differential equation (SDEs) based on discrete Markov chains. The continuous approximation model is formu- lated and solved numerically. It can analyze the variation of voltage with time, and the value of voltage is related to the trajectory of past voltage. By chang- ing ion channel dynamics, our model can replicate in vitro and downward spike adaptations in neocortical pyramidal cells and cap neurons. Moreover, it also produces an inter-peak power-law distribution with a longer first peak latency and higher peak-to-peak variability. The results obtained in close agreement with the statistical data on ion channels and potential actions. Our research extends the knowledge into the biological mechanisms induced by ion channels and neural information networks.

This paper explains a region-division-linearization algorithm for solving a class of generalized linear multiplicative programs (GLMP) with exponent. In this algorithm, the original non-convex problem (GLMP) is transformed into a series of linear programming problems by dividing the outer space of the problem (GLMP) into finite polynomial rectangles. A new two-stage acceleration technique is put in place to improve the computational efficiency of the algorithm, which removes part of the region of the optimal solution without problems (GLMP) in outer space. In addition, the global convergence of the algorithm is discussed, and the computational complexity of the algorithm is investigated. It demonstrates that the algorithm is a completely polynomial time approximation scheme. Finally, the numerical results show that the algorithm is effective and feasible.

In this article, we studied certain coefficient bounds and bounds on the third Hankel determinant for the family of starlike and convex functions of reciprocal order in the open unit disk 𝔻 = {z ∈ ℂ : |z|<1}.

1. Worldwide bees provide an important ecosystem service of plant pollination. However, environmental pressures are threatening their survival. Information is lacking on how land-use systems and weather patterns in developing countries influence bee populations. 2. We investigated how environmental and land use mediated factors influence the abundance, diversity, and distribution of bees across seasons in a farming communal area of Zimbabwe. Bees were systematically sampled in five land-use types (natural woodlot, pastures, homestead, field, and garden) recording ground cover, grass height, flower abundance, and types, tree abundance, and recorded elevation, temperature, light intensity, wind speed, wind direction, and humidity. The hurdle model, general linear model, and PCA were conducted to understand the influence of explanatory variables on bee abundance and Shannon diversity. 3. We found out that bee abundance was highly positively influenced by the number of flower types P < 0.0001 and significantly positively correlated to tree abundance P = 0.0475. We also highlight the high sensitivity of bees to weather changes as wind speed increases, thus reducing the probability of finding bees (P = 0.033). Temperatures above 28.50C significantly lowered bee abundance (P < 0.001). 4. Bee diversity was highest in homesteads (coefficient 0.4438) and natural woodlots (coefficient 0.4172) than gardens with fields and pastures having a disproportionately high abundance of Apis. Bee species also showed tolerance to different land-use types with Megachile associated with homesteads and Nomia with grasslands. Homesteads however supported more diverse species (P = 0.0453) highlighting the importance of some of its components to bee conservation. 5. Synthesis and applications. Our study showed that land-use change reduced the diversity of species and proliferated species that could tolerate the changes. These results highlight the importance of setting aside bee-friendly habitats that can be refuge sites for species susceptible to land-use change.

ants share the phytobiome with other members of the ecological community by sharing their physiology. The phytobiome is a collective ecological entity that senses external and internal stimuli via its member’s sensing apparatus (senome). The activated senome generates intercellular, and intra- and inter-organismal signals that induce genetically and epigenetically dependent modifications of phytobiome member transcriptomes. Ultimately, these genetic modifications alter the phenotypes of the collective phytobiome members. Mycorrhiza, epiphytic fungi, and dodder can physically transfer signals between kin and non-kin plants. Phytobiome members can release infochemicals by themselves, or modify plant volatile emissions and root exudates to act as signals for plant–plant interactions. These signals can change plant physiology and induce holobiont updates in receiver plants via a facilitative or competitive mechanism. Receiver plants eavesdrop on phytobiome cues and signals to anticipate responses to unfolding challenges. An emerging body of information in plant–plant interactions through inter-kingdom communication can be exploited in integrated crop management under field conditions. However, a holistic view is crucial for the manipulation of complex systems, such as the phytobiome, to avoid potential butterfly effects.

Objectives: To report a severe case of severe chlorine poisoning inducing acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and shock required venous-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (V-A ECMO). Design: Case report. Setting: Pediatric intensive care unit (PICU). Patients: A 11-year-old boy who admitted to our PICU after inhaled chlorine poisoning. Interventions: V-A ECMO. Measurements and Main Results: After inhaling chlorine, the children quickly developed hypoxia, cyanosis and unconsciousness. After high-condition mechanical ventilation, hypoxia was only slightly improved for a short time, and then deteriorated rapidly and shock occurred. The highest oxygen saturation index was 27.3, and the chest X-ray showed extensive diffuse interstitial parenchyma changes. The oxygenation and circulation was recovered quickly under ECMO. The children received methylprednisolone intravenous injection for 3 days, the pulmonary lesions basically recovered 5 days after onset. He was successfully removed from the ventilator 1 day after the successful removal of ECMO. Follow-up 3 months after discharge showed the pulmonary lesions were completely absorbed and there were no other sequelae. Conclusion: Chemical pneumonia caused by chlorine inhalation can lead to severe ARDS or even shock, but the prognosis is often good. ECMO support should be considered when conventional treatment is ineffective.

Abstract: Natural hybridization is a common key evolutionary process and a long-standing topic in the plant taxon. Hybrid zones, where two closely related species interact, can provide an avenue to insight the process, illuminating the maintenance of the taxon diversity. Incomplete isolation barriers between Ligularia species generally form hybrid zones. In this study, we used the double digest restriction-site associated DNA sequencing technology (ddRAD-seq) to examine genetic structure and estimate introgression in four newly discovered hybrid zones between L. tongolensis and L. cymbulifera. Our results showed high differentiation between parental species, whereas pairwise FST between parents and their hybrids was low, further corroborating sympatric site form hybrid zones. Moreover, most F1 hybrid individuals were observed within the four hybrid zones implying the presence of substantial barriers to interbreeding. An analysis of genomic clines indicated that a large fraction of loci deviated from a model of neutral introgression in the four hybrid zones, of which most loci exhibited selection favouring L. cymbulifera genotypes. Our analysis demonstrated bidirectional but asymmetric introgression appearing in the four hybrid zones. The different habitats among four hybrid zones may affect isolation barriers between both species. Natural hybridization with post-zygotic isolation barriers may significantly contribute to the diversification of Ligularia in the HMR.

Title: The Time May Soon Be At HandRunning Head: Time May Soon Be At HandAuthors: Saqib Masroor, MD1 and Donald B. Glower MD21. University of Toledo College of Medicine and Life Sciences, Department of Surgery, Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery2. Duke University Medical Center, Department of Surgery, Division of Cardiothoracic SurgeryMeeting Presentation: NoneDisclosure: NoneWord Count: 1213

Tweetable abstract: Identical twin pregnancies have more preterm births and other complications than fraternal twin pregnancies.Mini-CommentaryA decade ago, Professor Kypros Nicolaides of Kings’ College opined, “There is NO diagnosis of twins. There are only monochorionic or dichorionic twins. This diagnosis should be written in capital red letters across the top of the patient’s chart.” (Quoted by Moise and Johnson, Am J Obstet Gynecol 2010; 203:1-2.) To make this diagnosis, it is essential to establish chorionicity as early as possible in every twin pregnancy.Monochorionic twin pregnancies have long been known to have higher rates of miscarriage, congenital anomalies, stillbirth, and neonatal death than dichorionic twin pregnancies. Intertwin vascular anastomoses are present in most monochorionic twin placentas, leading to complications such as twin-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS), twin anemia-polycythemia sequence (TAPS), twin reversed arterial perfusion (TRAP) sequence, and unequal placental sharing (UPS).Monochorionic twins require intensive antenatal surveillance. Because of the increased risk of congenital anomalies, fetal echocardiogram is recommended in addition to routine ultrasound fetal anatomy survey. Because of the risk of TTTS, TAPS, TRAP and UPS, sonographic surveillance is recommended every 2 weeks starting at 16 weeks of gestation. Because of the risk of stillbirth, serial antenatal cardiotocography is recommended. Scheduled delivery is recommended earlier for monochorionic twins than for dichorionic twins (NICE Guideline 137, 2019; ACOG, Obstet Gynecol 2019;133:e151-5; Cheong-See et al, BMJ 2016;354:i4353).Regardless of chorionicity, 60% of twins are born preterm, resulting in substantial perinatal morbidity and mortality. Prevention of preterm birth (PTB) is a major priority for management of twin pregnancy.The systematic review by Marleen and colleagues is the first of several studies planned by the authors to evaluate risk factors for PTB in twin pregnancy. Prior reports have suggested that monochorionic twins have higher rates of PTB than dichorionic twins but, as the authors note, there has been no prior systematic review of this association. It is not surprising that the review shows an increased overall rate of PTB among monochorionic twins in all gestational age ranges, given that complications such as stillbirth, TTTS, TAPS, TRAP, and UPS often result in iatrogenic PTB. Indeed, iatrogenic PTB before 37 weeks of gestation should be routine for monochorionic twins because of the increasing risk of stillbirth past 36+6 weeks cited in the current NICE Guidelines (2019, op. cit .). However, Marleen and colleagues also report that spontaneous PTB at <37 weeks and ≤34 weeks is increased in monochorionic twin pregnancy, which cannot be directly explained by monochorionic placental complications.The overarching goal of Marleen and colleagues is to develop tools to predict which twin pregnancies are at risk of PTB so that preventive measures can be taken. Unfortunately, it is not currently known what preventive measures will reduce the high risk of early spontaneous PTB among monochorionic twin pregnancies. Prophylactic bedrest, hospitalization, uterine activity monitoring, tocolysis, cerclage, cervical pessary, and progestogens have not proven effective for unselected twin pregnancies. Future research will be needed to determine the value of such interventions for women with twin pregnancy plus additional risk factors such as a short cervix, prior PTB, or monochorionicity.Acknowledgements: NoneDisclosure of Interests: C Andrew Combs declares “No relevant or competing interests”Contribution to Authorship: CAC did 100% of the planning, writing, and submission.Details of Ethics Approval : Not applicableFunding: NoneReferences: Cited in-line per instructions for Mini-CommentaryTables/Figures: None

Genotypes-phenotypes correlation and treatment outcomes for 73 Chinese CHH male patients was performed in this study. Patients self-selected one of the four treatments: pulsatile Gonadorelin® pump, cyclical gonadotropins therapy, human menopausal gonadotropin monotherapy, or testosterone replacement treatment. Clinical assessments were performed every 3 months for 3 years. Baseline clinical features, spermatogenesis and secondary sexual development outcomes were analyzed. Whole exome sequencing identified 63 variants in 52 patients (70%), 18 of which were novel. Variants on FGFR1, PROKR2, CHD7, ANOS1 and NSMF gene were 10 (15.87%), 10 (15.87%), 7(11.11%), 5(7.93%) and 5(7.93%) respectively. Some null variants could lead to severe clinical manifestations than missense variants on FGFR1 and CHD7. The Lasso regression model for spermatogenic failure risk showed that cryptorchidism history, abnormal epididymis or prostate, lower basal LH and peak-LH post Triptorelin® stimulation were significant predictors. Approximately, 30% normosmic patients defined by simple olfactory assessment showed olfactory nerve center maldevelopment with nasal sinus MRI. The severity of reproductive system was attributed to spermatogenesis that could be predicted by nomogram model. No direct correlation was observed between candidate genes and spermatogenic outcome, however, the clinical severity is partially related with specific variants, and clinical features might in turn affect the treatment efficacy.

The main problem discussed in this paper concerns the importance of the presence of a hydrophobic core in β-sandwich supersecondary structures. The aim of this research is to propose an alternative structural classification of the relationship between sequence and spatial structure. The set of analyzed proteins contains very diverse examples (taking into consideration source organisms, chain length, domain composition, ligand and metal complexation, quaternary structure), allowing for generalization of conclusions. The biological function of the proteins in question is also fundamentally different. The only common feature of these proteins is the presence of a β-sandwich or β-sandwich-like domain. The data base is taken from alternative classification of secondary and supersecordary of sandwich-like domains. The results show that the secondary and supersecondary despite of high topological similarity represent different forms of hydrophobic core structure. In consequence the stability of sandwich-like domains is differentiated. The local stability/instability has a significant repercussion on biological activity. It is expressed by identified local discordance between idealized and observed hydrophobicity distribution. The closer is the structure of hydrophobic core to the idealized one the higher stability is assumed for the domain under consideration.

The present case describes the severity of postoperative coronary spasm after aortic valve sparing surgery. It highlights the crucial role of hybrid setting for diagnosis and treatment of the disease.

The recovery of boron from salt lake brine using 2,2,4-trimethyl-1,3-pentanediol was investigated. Factors affecting boron recovery, including pH, concentrations of extractant and H3BO3, phase ratio(O/A), and temperature, were investigated. Increasing pH initially resulted in high extraction rate, but there was a limitation, as further increasing pH resulted in rapid formation of B[OH]4- having a low capacity to complex with TMPD, and therefore lower boron extraction. Boron recovery increased as the TMPD and O/A increased. The combination of pH <7, O/A=1 & n(TMPD/H3BO3)=2:1 was ideal for boron recovery, resulting in extraction efficiency of >85%. To investigate extraction mechanism, slope ratio method was combined with Raman and infrared spectroscopy to characterize the structure of complex. Furthermore, under optimal conditions, a three-stage extraction and two-stage stripping process was performed, resulting extraction and stripping efficiency were 97.12% and 88.98%, respectively. The results reveal a promising strategy of boron recovery from SL brine without acidification.

Environmental DNA (eDNA) analysis has become a valuable tool for detecting aquatic and terrestrial species for monitoring efforts and site biodiversity assessments. However, if aboveground terrestrial eDNA surveys are to be widely adopted, it is necessary to first understand how terrestrial conditions affect the state, transport, and ultimate fate (or ‘ecology’) of terrestrially deposited eDNA. Many of the processes that affect the state, transport, and fate of eDNA in aquatic environments may not be applicable in aboveground systems, warranting an exploration of the terrestrial processes that likely do affect eDNA. Here we explore the ecology of aboveground terrestrial eDNA through a series of experiments evaluating the optimal filter pore size for intracellular eDNA collection, how eDNA is affected by rain events, and its degradation rate under different solar radiation conditions. We found that the captured concentration of intracellular eDNA was not significantly affected by an increase in filter pore size, suggesting there is a wide range of viable pore size options for targeting intracellular eDNA. We also found extracellular eDNA degrades more rapidly than intracellular forms when exposed to solar radiation, indicating the latter is a more viable target for collection. Finally, we identified that rainfall or mist will remove most terrestrial eDNA present on vegetation substrate. This study provides researchers and managers key insights into successfully designing and carrying out terrestrial eDNA surveys that maximize detection probability and minimize false positive results.