RATIONALE: Helium (He) is used in cutting-edge research in industry and science as a carrier and/or ionization gas. The global He shortages have dramatically increased its prices and reduced its availability, to what comes together the current energy crisis. A strategy is proposed to save He and energy in elemental analysis/isotope ratio mass spectrometry (EA/IRMS). METHODS: A method for analysis of carbon and nitrogen isotope composition (δ13C and δ15N values) is proposed using two or three sequential combustion reactions in a single EA/IRMS acquisition. The methods (hereafter called 2×EA/IRMS and 3×EA/IRMS) use the time needed for the peak center and reference gas (CO2 or N2) pulses to measure δ13C or δ15N in two or three capsules with samples or standards. The combustion cycles can be replicate analyses of the same or different material. RESULTS: The methods were validated with replicate analysis of C and N in RMs and laboratory standards of a broad range of biological and geological matrices, δ13C and δ15N values, and C/N molar ratios. The accuracy and precision of the 2×EA/IRMS and 3×EA/IRMS values were15 essentially the same, with good agreement between the mean ± 1 SD values from RMs and standard analyses and the recommended or accepted values and their uncertainties. CONCLUSIONS: The proposed methods save He, save energy, save reference gases (CO2, N2), and O2, while reducing the analysis and instrumental times by ca. 50 %.

Rabies in Nigeria has remained an endemic disease ever since its first case in 1912. Though several prevention and control programs have been done to see to its elimination, rabies continues to thrive in Nigeria with about 1640 human rabies cases recorded annually. As Nigeria continues to struggle with rabies elimination, certain countries like Jamaica, Japan, Australia, Mexico, Hawaii, and Belgium have completely eradicated rabies and are considered rabies-free. Hence, to successfully eliminate rabies, Nigeria needs to take lessons from these rabies-free countries and put into action all that they did to achieve this feat. Achieving herd immunity through the vaccination of 70% of the dog population is a potent way to ensure the elimination of rabies. To scale up dog vaccination in Nigeria, Nigerian lawmakers need to come up with a law similar to Japan’s Rabies Prevention Act, that binds all dog owners to the compulsory registration and vaccination of their dogs in a veterinary hospital such that disobeying comes with a punishment. Also, philanthropic organizations in Nigeria need to invest in the production of these PEPs by pharmaceutical companies. In ensuring a perfectly functional quarantine station, the government needs to employ more qualified and licensed veterinarians in accordance with Article 3.2.5 of the OIE Terrestrial Animal Health Code which states that “there should not be an over-reliance on veterinary paraprofessionals but qualified experienced field veterinarians should be employed to conduct disease monitoring”.

Reilly T. Jackson1*, Tamika J. Lunn1, Isabella K. DeAnglis1, Joseph G. Ogola2, Paul W. Webala3, Kristian M. Forbes1Department of Biological Sciences, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, Arkansas, USADepartment of Medical Microbiology, University of Nairobi, Nairobi, KenyaDepartment of Forestry and Wildlife Management, Maasai Mara University, Narok, Kenya*Correspondence author: rtj006@uark.eduABSTRACTSimultaneous use of domestic spaces by humans and wildlife is little understood, despite global ubiquity, and can create an interface for human exposure to wildlife pathogens. Bats are associated with several pathogens that can spillover and cause disease in humans and, due to loss of natural habitat and urbanization, are increasingly using anthropogenic structures for roosting. The purpose of this study was to characterize human interactions with bats in shared buildings to assess potential for exposure risk to bat pathogens.We surveyed 102 people living and working in buildings used as bat roots in rural Kenya between 2021 and 2023. Based on responses, we characterized and quantified the timing, intensity, and frequency of human-bat interactions occurring in this common domestic setting.Survey respondents reported living with bats in buildings year-round, with cohabitation occurring for at least 10 years in 38% of cases. Human contact with bats occurred through direct and indirect routes, including exposure to excrement (90% of respondents), and direct touching of bats (39% of respondents). Indirect contacts most often occurred daily and direct contacts most often occurred yearly. Domestic animal consumption of bats was also reported (16% respondents).Synthesis and applications : We demonstrate that shared building use by bats and humans in rural Kenya leads to prolonged, frequent, and sometimes intense interactions between bats and humans, consistent with exposure interfaces that can facilitate pathogen spillover. Identifying and understanding the settings and practices that may lead to zoonotic pathogen spillover is of great global importance for developing countermeasures, and this study establishes bat roosts in anthropogenic structures as such a setting.KEYWORDSAfrica, Chiroptera, emerging infectious disease, human-wildlife interaction, spillover, wildlife conflict, zoonosisINTRODUCTIONEmerging infectious diseases (EIDs) are a significant threat to global health and security, as demonstrated by the recent COVID-19 pandemic and Mpox disease outbreak (Morens and Fauci 2013, Wang et al. 2022, Zumla et al. 2022). Most EIDs have zoonotic origins and emerge in humans via spillover of pathogens from animals, often wildlife (Jones et al. 2008). These risks are exacerbated by growing human populations and conversion of natural lands to anthropogenic regions, which increase human contacts with wildlife and exposure to their pathogens (Woolhouse and Gowtage-Sequeria 2005, Jones et al. 2008, Gottdenker et al. 2014).Settings and practices that lead to pathogen spillover are little understood but of great importance for informing outbreak mitigation strategies. In lieu of direct knowledge on pathogen exposure, which is extremely difficult to identify from wild animals, characterization of human-wildlife contact can be used to infer exposure risk. Identifying exposure settings has primarily focused on direct contact between humans and wildlife, largely in the form of wildlife hunting and markets for the sale of live animals (Karesh et al. 2005, Mossoun et al. 2015, Keatts et al. 2021, Nawtaisong et al. 2022). For example, wildlife consumption and associated handling and butchering creates human contact with wildlife viscera and bodily fluids, which can facilitate spillover of their pathogens (Wolfe et al. 2005). However, contacts between humans and wildlife occur across numerous settings outside of wildlife trade and consumption and can result in human exposure to wildlife pathogens (Plowright et al. 2017). Other settings and practices that promote contact between wildlife and humans have received far less focus despite the importance of their characterization to mitigating zoonotic pathogen spillover.Wildlife often share spaces with humans and domestic animals, especially in the Global South, where humans and wildlife coexist closely in developing landscapes and EID risk is high (Seoraj-Pillai and Pillai 2016, Allen et al. 2017). Studies have reported many communities struggling to manage small mammal incursion into buildings (Salmon-Mulanovich et al. 2016, Doty et al. 2017, Balčiauskas and Balčiauskiene 2020). The presence of mammals in these spaces can create opportunities for human and domestic animal contact with wildlife and their excreta, potentially exposing them to wildlife-borne pathogens (Ogola et al. 2021). Despite the risk, characterization and quantification of contacts within buildings, where people may spend significant portions of their lives, is lacking.Bats can harbor zoonotic pathogens that may be shed in excreta and bodily fluids (eg., feces, urine, saliva, blood, etc.; Mildenstein et al. 2016, Waruhiu et al. 2017). Several bat-borne viruses have emerged in humans after transmission from bats via indirect contact with bat excreta or direct contact with bat bodily fluids (Belotto et al. 2005, Epstein et al. 2006, Towner et al. 2009, Eby et al. 2023). Domestic animals can also be exposed to these pathogens after contact with bats excreta and fluids (Marsh and Wang 2004). In developing settings, anthropogenic structures, like family homes, places of worship, and schools, can be highly permeable to bats, and with ongoing habitat loss bats are increasingly using these buildings as roosts (Russo and Ancillotto 2015, Voigt et al. 2016). Few options exist for people to safely manage bat use of their buildings, and this provides numerous opportunities for human-bat contact and conflict. However, detailed characterization of how humans contact bats and their excreta in relation to pathogen exposure risk in shared spaces is lacking and requires attention.We investigated human-bat interactions in anthropogenic structures in rural south-eastern Kenya to characterize and quantify forms of contact that could lead to human exposure to bat pathogens. Bats are known to roost frequently in buildings simultaneously used by humans in this region (Musila et al. 2018, Jackson et al. 2023, Lunn et al. 2023) and this area has been forecasted as a hotspot for zoonotic pathogen emergence where surveillance and mitigation efforts are needed (Allen et al. 2017). By understanding these contacts and their potential to facilitate pathogen exposure, we can better identify human health risks in this interface and provide data necessary to mitigate risks.METHODSThis study was conducted in Taita-Taveta County, Kenya. The most recent 2019 population estimate of Taita-Taveta County was 340,671 people in 2019 (Kenya National Bureau of Statistics), with a 1.8% annual increase in population over the preceding 10 years. Almost three-quarters of the population is considered rural, although urbanization and deforestation are increasing substantially in the region (Platts et al. 2011, Nyongesa et al. 2022). This area is characterized by remnant patches of high-elevation cloud forest surrounded by low-elevation grasslands, woodlands, and agriculture (Abera et al. 2022).We surveyed people in Taita-Taveta County during 2021 (August – October), 2022 (January – April), and 2023 (May – June) to understand and characterize human and domestic animal interactions with bats living in buildings. Participants were identified via word-of-mouth conversations with community members throughout the study area. We sought out adults who had bats in their homes (permanent and rental properties) or workplaces at the time of the survey, or who had evidence of recent sustained bat use (i.e., urine staining, fecal deposits, dead bats, etc.). Surveys were directed to one individual per property, however additional family members were sometimes present during questioning. Participants were informed about the study and verbal consent was obtained prior to conducting surveys. This research was approved by the National Commission for Science, Technology and Innovation (#NACOSTI/P/21/9267) and University of Arkansas Institutional Review Board (Protocol #2103320918).Surveys were conducted in the local Taita language, Swahili, or English by local Taita assistants and at least one of the authors. Questions were read to respondents by the research team and answers were transcribed by the team. Our survey consisted of short-answer, dichotomous, and categorical questions to characterize resident human and domestic animal demographics of the property, the duration of bat use of the property and its buildings, and human and domestic animal interactions with bats and their excreta (see Supplementary Materials for detailed information on survey questions). Surveys from 2021 (n = 23) included 23 multi-part questions. After this initial data collection, we added one additional question to characterize human and domestic animal contact with dead bats on the property. Therefore, surveys conducted in 2022 and 2023 (n = 79) included 24 multi-part questions.To explore the effect of the number of residents on the property, length of bat building use, and respondent demographics (gender, education, and age) on direct (e.g., touching, scratches, bites, etc.) and indirect (e.g., contact with bat excrement) interactions with bats, we used univariate generalized linear models with a binomial error distribution and logit link function. We used chi-square tests to compare the frequencies of bat interactions, length of time of bat occupation of buildings, exclusion methods, and reasons for exclusion. All analyses were conducted in R (Version 2023.06.2+561) using the stats package (v4.1.3).RESULTSWe surveyed 102 people who lived or worked in buildings used by bats (Table S1). Over 70% of people reported bat use of their buildings for >5 years (n = 72), with bat presence for 5-10 years most commonly reported (χ 2 = 36.52, P< 0.01, Fig. 1). Most properties (88%) had bat presence year-round (n = 90). Survey participants described frequent exposure to bats that would support pathogen transmission through two main routes: direct and indirect (fecal/oral) contact, with indirect contact between bats and people reported more frequently than direct contacts (χ 2 = 24.77, P < 0.01, Fig. 2A).

Many theoretical treatments of foraging use energy as currency, with carbohydrates and lipids considered interchangeable as energy sources. However, herbivores must often synthesize lipids from carbohydrates since they are in short supply in plants, theoretically increasing the cost of growth. We tested whether a generalist insect herbivore (Locusta migratoria) can improve their growth efficiency by consuming lipids, and whether these locusts have a preferred intake target ratio of carbohydrate (C) to lipid (L). Locusts fed pairs of isocaloric, isoprotein diets differing in C and L consistently selected a 2C:1L target. Locusts reared on isocaloric, isoprotein 3C:0L diets attained similar final body masses and lipid contents as locusts fed the 2C:1L diet but ate more and had a ~12% higher metabolic rate—indicating an energetic cost for lipogenesis. These results demonstrate that some animals can selectively regulate carbohydrate to lipid intake and that consumption of dietary lipid can improve growth efficiency.

Mutualistic interactions are essential for ecosystem functioning, such as seed dispersal of plants by animals (frugivory). However, it remains unclear how species extinctions impact interaction network architecture and interaction outcomes. Here, we developed a hierarchical rewiring model based on abundances, traits and phylogeny to identify which frugivory-related traits influence changes in networks and frugivore diets in response to plant species loss. We demonstrate that network architecture and diet are strongly influenced by the total reward and the consumption frequency of fruits with unique combinations of macronutrients. However, there was an uncoupling between network architecture and diet change, suggesting that different plant species modulate network structures and frugivore diets, and the ability of frugivores to shift partners reduced the impact of fruit loss on dietary outcome. Altogether, we reveal mechanistic links between extinctions, architecture and outcomes in mutualistic ecological networks, important to predict species interactions and ecosystem functioning in a changing world.

The prevalence of hazardous drinking among females has increased more in the past decades as compared to among males. While it is well-known that females suffer more from the negative effects of alcohol use than males, the mechanisms that explain sex differences in hazardous drinking remain poorly understood. The current study aimed to investigate sex differences in the relationship between cue-induced (relief and reward) craving and cue-induced heart rate variability in a sample of hazardous drinkers. One hundred fourteen hazardous drinkers (61 females) underwent an alcohol cue-exposure paradigm consisting of exposure to alcohol-related pictures, personalized script imagery, and alcohol paraphernalia. Relief- and reward cravings were measured before and after exposure using the Desire for Alcohol Questionnaire. Heart Rate Variability was measured continuously during the exposure using an electrocardiograph. While there was a significant increase in both reward and relief craving following the alcohol exposure paradigm, these effects were not moderated by sex. Importantly, however, exposure to alcohol cues was associated with a stronger reduction in Heart Rate Variability among males compared to female hazardous drinkers. Lastly, exposure-related reduction in Heart Rate Variability was significantly stronger in individuals that reported more exposure-induced relief craving, but these effects were not moderated by sex. In summary, our findings suggest that while there were no sex differences in exposure-induced Heart Rate Variability, there was in exposure-induced craving. These findings may pave the way for developing sex-specific interventions specifically targeting Heart Rate Variability, including Heart Rate Variability biofeedback.

Because temperature has pervasive effects on biological rates, climate warming may alter the outcomes of interactions between insect hosts and their parasitoids, which, for many host species, constitute the single largest source of mortality. Many studies report that climate warming is depressing the performance of parasitoids more than that of hosts. We examined this consensus by assessing the thermal ecology of a host-parasitoid interaction in the Rocky Mountains using wild populations of the aspen leaf miner (Phyllocnistis populiella) and a set of eulophid wasps that attack them. Host and wasp development rates were differentially sensitive to temperature. In addition, upper thermal limits in adult wasps were lower than those of host caterpillars, and wasps preferred low temperatures in choice experiments. When coupled to simulations of leaf microclimates in aspen canopies, these observations suggest, contrary to expectations, that climate warming is likely to benefit parasitoids at the expense of hosts.

INTRODUCTIONAbsent pulmonary valve syndrome (APVS) with an intact ventricular septum (IVS) or small ventricular septum is a rare type of APVS associated with high perinatal mortality in fetuses. Although APVS/IVS constitutes only 7.5% to 25% of the APVS cohort, most fetuses (80%) will not survive to birth without inotropic support or heart transplantation due to fetal heart failure, hydrops fetalis, extracardiac and chromosomal abnormities, and pregnancy termination[1-4]. A ductus arteriosus(DA) is usually present in APVS/IVS patients, and a large DA could result in bronchial compression leading to severe respiratory symptoms and signs of congestive heart failure early after birth[5]. With the improvement of postnatal care and intervention, the survival of subjects rises from 20% to 80%[2]. However, long-term surviving analysis remains unknown in patients with APVS/IVS.Symptoms varies according to individual in these patients. Here, we report a rare subtype of APVS/IVS patient with the combination of the absent pulmonary valve leaflets, intact ventricular septum and superior vena cava who develop a surprisingly long-term survival and underwent timely pulmonary valve implantation surgery.

IntroductionSubungual onycholemmal cysts (SOC) also known as subungual epidermoid inclusion cyst is an uncommon nail abnormality which affect the dermis of the nail bed. SOC has variable clinical presentations include onychodystrophy, ridging, clubbing, thickening, pigmentation or even appears normal (1). It can also mimic different nail malignancy such as melanoma, SCC or glomus tumor (2). In this report we document a case of unilateral second right finger nail onychodystrophy in 54-year-old man.

Uterine leiomyomas (fibroids) are common benign tumours affecting women of reproductive age. While most are asymptomatic, a significant proportion experience symptoms affecting their quality of life. Surgery is a definitive treatment for fibroids, where minimally invasive surgical (MIS) techniques have become the preferred approach for preserving fertility. This narrative review provides an overview of the current literature regarding fertility outcomes of different MIS techniques, including conventional laparoscopy, robot-assisted laparoscopy myomectomy (RALM), and mini-laparotomy. The studies reviewed reveal favourable pregnancy outcomes in general which were comparable between laparoscopy, and RALM, single-site and mini-laparotomy. In RALM, higher preterm rates were associated with a higher number of fibroids being removed. The data was inconsistent regarding laparotomy compared to laparoscopy. Further comparative research may be warranted to determine the specific differences regarding fertility outcomes.

A major challenge to community code development and management is the testing and validation of public contributions. The community-developed GFDL Finite-Volume Cubed Sphere Dynamical Core (FV3) is no exception:  automated testing of contributions made to the FV3 public repository is paramount for ensuring the integrity of the many earth-system models and forecasting applications using FV3 as a dynamical core.  A build and test system for the FV3 dynamical core was developed for internal testing on NOAA Research and Development High Performance Computing Systems (RDHPCS).  We have designed a continuous integration (CI) approach for the FV3 dynamical core Github repository that uses a cloud-based platform to perform automated compilation and reproducibility testing to validate community code contributions. A combination of NOAA RDHPCS Parallel Works virtual machines and containers developed at GFDL are used to compile and test code on the cloud efficiently.   We will also discuss how we adapted the FV3 tests for automated CI.

Current worldwide estimation of Spent Coffee Grounds (SCGs) is evaluated at a global annual of 23 million tons which constitute actually an abundant Bio-Feedstock that needs to be concerned for a strategy of Bio-Valorization. New technological confronts are progressing to extend the use of SCGs for sustainable green composites like porous bio-adsorbents, modified resins and specifically Phase Change Materials (PCMs) developed for energy storage.

High-quality urbanization and a healthy ecosystem are both the material basis for sustainable social development. However, the relationship between urbanization and terrestrial ecosystem health at the regional scale is still unclear. Therefore, we assessed the spatial-temporal dynamics of urbanization and terrestrial ecosystem health at 368 cities in China from 2000 to 2020, then explored their spatial interaction and driving mechanisms by spatial autocorrelation analysis and partial least squares structural equation modeling. The results showed: (1) China’s comprehensive urbanization index (UI) increased from 0.08 in 2000 to 0.10 in 2020, contributing by some national urban agglomerations such as Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei, Yangtze River Delta, and Pearl River Delta. (2) China’s terrestrial ecosystem health index (EHI) also increased from 0.6718 to 0.6788. Ecosystem vigor improved significantly, while ecosystem organization and resilience both decreased. (3) EHI and UI appeared to be locally spatially dependent, and path dependence was presented at municipal scales. (4) At the national scale, urbanization is positive related to EHI, which were enhanced by social, economic and topography factors. The dominant drivers on EHI varied among regions, and urbanization improved EHI in all regions except for the southwest. Our study demonstrated that urbanization would promote terrestrial ecosystem health by implementing high-quality development and ecological management simultaneously, providing theoretical support for urban ecological management and sustainable development.

Studies of ectotherm responses to heat extremes often rely on assessing absolute critical limits for heat coma or death (CTmax), however, such single parameter metrics ignores the importance of stress exposure duration. Furthermore, population persistence may be affected at temperatures considerably below CTmax through decreased reproductive output. Here we investigate the relationship between tolerance duration and severity of heat stress across four ecologically relevant life-history traits (productivity, sterility, coma, and mortality) using the global agricultural pest Drosophila suzukii. For the first time, we show that for sublethal reproductive traits, tolerance duration decreases rapidly and exponentially with increasing temperature (R2>0.97), thereby extending the Thermal Death Time framework recently developed for mortality and coma. Using field micro-environmental temperatures, we show how thermal stress can lead to considerable reproductive loss at temperatures with limited heat mortality highlighting the importance of including limits to reproductive performance in ecological studies of heat stress vulnerability.

Objective: This study intended to analyze the prognosis of patients with stage IIIC squamous cervical cancer who underwent the Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital of Fudan University (FUOG) Treatment, and explored the factors influencing their prognosis. Design: A retrospective study. Setting: A large tertiary hospital specializing in obstetrics and gynecology in China. Population or Sample: This study collected data from 717 patients with stage IIIC squamous cervical cancer who underwent FUOG Treatment in our hospital from January 2016 to December 2020. Methods: Kaplan-Meier method was used to estimate progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS). Stratified analysis was performed to examine the risk factors. Main Outcome Measures: The main outcomes were 3-year PFS and OS. Results: The 3-year OS was 90.9% for patients with stage IIIC squamous cervical cancer, 91.5% for stage IIIC1 and 83.2% for stage IIIC2, respectively. The 3-year PFS was 84.8%, 85.3% for stage IIIC1 and 78.8% for stage IIIC2, respectively. Undifferentiated squamous carcinoma was an independent prognostic factor for OS (HR: 5.793, p=0.0064) and PFS (HR: 4.663, p=0.0033). Postoperative patients with standard adjuvant therapy had better 3-year OS outcomes than patients with non-standard therapy (88.4% vs 73.4%, p=0.007). Patients with undifferentiated type (OR=8.471), positive parietal infiltration (OR=3.339), or tumor infiltration depth of 1/3-2/3 (OR=5.454) were more likely to have distant recurrence. Conclusions: The prognosis of patients with stage IIIC cervical squamous carcinoma treated with the FUOG Treatment is satisfactory. However, risk factors such as undifferentiated type, positive paracervical infiltration, and non-standard adjuvant therapy can negatively affect prognosis.

For the automated analysis of I/V-characteristics of solar cells and modules, descriptive parameters are essential. In particular with the rise in machine-learning techniques and the related increase data volumes, there is a need for good, general purpose, descriptive parameters. The most commonly used descriptive parameters for I/V are the standard solar cells parameters, consisting of V oc , I sc , V mpp , and I mpp . Also other representations may be considered, such as one diode model parameters corresponding to a particular I/V. However, these representations are very coarse and cannot distinguish or represent many common (non-ideal) features of an I/V (e.g. an S-shape). In this work we propose an extended set of solar cell parameters, which are well defined, and easy to determine. We evaluate the effectiveness of the extended solar cell parameters by reconstructing the I/V from the extracted parameters. This allows one to “measure” information loss. We compare the accuracy of our parameters with other commonly used curve models for I/V, namely the one diode model, and the Karmalkar-Haneefa model. The models are applied to a large set of I/V (about 2.2 million curves), covering a wide range of technologies and conditions. We demonstrate our extended solar cell parameters consistently provide an accurate description of nearly all I/V in these datasets. Furthermore, we present our I/V analysis tool which we use to process these datasets. This tool is fast and capable of extracting the extended solar cell parameters, as well as parameters for the one diode model and the Karmalka-Haneefa model. Finally, we exemplary show how the extended solar cell parameters may be used to detect partial shading in outdoor data, by training a simple random-forest classifier based on extended solar cell parameters.

Rice, one of the most agronomically important crops, has been challenged by high salinity that affects its growth at the seedling stage and reproductive phase. Thus, investigating the intricate molecular mechanisms that regulate its developmental process throughout its life cycle is essential for better stress resilience. In this study, we have investigated the role of rice trithorax group factor ULTRAPETALA ( OsULT1) that orchestrates rice development and stress response. A genome-wide chromatin immunoprecipitation analysis revealed enrichment of OsULT1 to transcription factors and regulators, oxidative stress signaling, ROS scavengers, and K + uptake transporters, during salinity stress. Interestingly, loci associated with root development, plant height, inflorescence development, panicles, spikelet numbers, and seed development also showed OsULT1 occupancy under control and salt stress. OsULT1 transcriptionally regulates these loci during stress response by modulating H3K4me3 and H3K27me3 modifications. OsULT1 overexpression ( OsULT1-3) causes developmental changes in rice with enhanced plant height, increase in basal internode length; robust root architecture; increase in tiller and panicle numbers. Moreover, OsULT1-3 showed salinity tolerance with enhanced seed germination, reduced ROS content, low Na +/K + ratio in shoot and root tissue, and enhanced post-stress recovery. Collectively, our results indicate that ULT1 regulates different developmental pathways for better protection and adaptation against environmental stress.

Artificial ponds are an integral feature of the landscape in many parts of the world and contribute greatly to regional diversity. The study aimed to (1) investigate the structure and diversity of macroinvertebrate assemblages in five small permanent water bodies within a limestone quarry area, (2) determine the environmental variables shaping assemblages, and (3) evaluate changes over a relatively long period. 2. Benthic samples were collected monthly from April to November in 2009 and 2019, and basic physical and chemical water parameters were measured. Macroinvertebrates were sampled according to the time-limited and habitat-dependent sampling technique using a standard pond net. Several biocenotic indices based on taxon composition or percentage of individuals were calculated to describe the assemblages. The relationships between environmental variables and macroinvertebrates were evaluated using multivariate analyses. 3. The results showed that the assemblages were dominated by mayflies (Baetidae and Caenidae), damselflies (Coenagrionidae), and dipterans (Chironomidae), with a total of 42 taxa recorded. Over the ten-year period, taxon richness and diversity increased, especially in spring, and became more diverse among the ponds. The abundance and frequency of occurrence of hololimic organisms, such as snails (Lymnaeidae and Planorbidae), oligochaetes, and water mites, also increased. The RDA analysis indicated that temperature, seasonality, pond margin shading, and morphometry were the main environmental factors influencing macroinvertebrates, which explained 38.6% of the total variance in macroinvertebrate abundance. 4. This study indicates a significant spatial and temporal variation in macroinvertebrate distribution and assemblage structure among small artificial water bodies created in the limestone quarry, despite their proximity.

In recent decades, the demand for clean and renewable energy has grown increasingly urgent due to the irreversible alteration of the global climate. As a result, efficient organic solar cells (OSCs) have gradually gained attention as a study hotspot. To break up this dilemma, this paper reviews the molecular design strategies of benzodithiophen (BDT)-based polymer and small molecule donor materials since their birth, focusing on the development of main-chain engineering, side-chain engineering and other unique molecular design paths. Up to now, the state-of-the-art power conversion efficiency (PCE) of binary OSCs prepared by BDT-based donor materials has approached 20%. Our work detailly discusses the potential relationship between the molecular changes of donor materials and photoelectric performance in corresponding OSC devices, thereby presenting a rational molecular design guidance for stable and efficient donor materials in future.

TITLE : Genomic insights into a critically endangered island endemic songbird provide a roadmap for preventing extinction.RUNNING TITLE: King Island Scrubtit conservation genetics.AUTHORS : Ross Crates1¶, Brenton von Takach2, Catherine M Young1, Dejan Stojanovic1, Linda Neaves1, Liam Murphy1, Daniel Gautschi1, Carolyn J. Hogg3,4, Robert Heinsohn1, Phil Bell5, Katherine A. Farquharson3,4.1. Fenner School of Environment and Society, Australian National University, Linnaeus Way, Acton, Canberra 2601.2. School of Molecular and Life Sciences, Curtin University, Bentley, Perth, Western Australia 6102.3. The University of Sydney, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, NSW 2006, Australia4. Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science, The University of Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia5. Biological Sciences, School of Natural Sciences, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania, 7005, Australia¶Corresponding Author: ross.crates@anu.edu.auABSTRACT: Small, fragmented or isolated populations are at risk of population decline due to fitness costs associated with inbreeding and genetic drift. The King Island scrubtit Acanthornis magna greeniana is a critically endangered endemic subspecies of the nominate Tasmanian scrubtit Acanthornis magna magna, with an estimated population of <100 individuals persisting in three patches of swamp forest. The Tasmanian scrubtit is widespread in wet forests on mainland Tasmania. We sequenced the scrubtit genome using PacBio HiFi and undertook a population genomics study of the King Island and Tasmanian scrubtit using a double-digest restriction site-associated DNA (ddRAD) dataset of 5,239 SNP loci. The genome was 1.48 Gb long, comprising 1,518 contigs with an N50 of 7.715 Mb. King Island scrubtits formed one of four overall genetic clusters, but separated into three distinct subpopulations when analysed separately. Pairwise FST values were greater among the King Island scrubtit subpopulations than among most Tasmanian scrubtit subpopulations. Genetic diversity was lower and inbreeding coefficients were higher in the King Island scrubtit than all except one of the Tasmanian scrubtit subpopulations. We observed crown baldness in 8/15 King Island scrubtits, but 0/55 Tasmanian scrubtits. Six loci were significantly associated with baldness, including one within the DOCK11 gene which is linked to early feather development. Contemporary gene flow between King Island scrubtit subpopulations is unlikely, with further field monitoring required to quantify the fitness consequences of its small effective size, low genetic diversity and high inbreeding. Evidence-based conservation actions can then be implemented before the taxon goes extinct.

Terrain and plants play a crucial role in influencing or regulating the variations of water, salt, carbon and bacteria community in the soil of coastal salt marshes. Investigating these variations and their interconnections under different conditions is essential to comprehensively understand the carbon sequestration function and reveal the underlying mechanisms of carbon sinks in coastal salt marshes. In this study, the various physical and chemical properties of rhizosphere and non-rhizosphere soil under different terrain of coastal salt marsh in Jiaozhou Bay were determined. Additionally, the contents of soil carbon components (including soil inorganic carbon, SIC; soil organic carbon, SOC; dissolved inorganic carbon, DIC; dissolved organic carbon, DOC), constituents of soil dissolved organic matter (DOM) and microbial community were also analyzed. The results showed that the contents of SIC and SOC in high-terrain soil were significantly lower than those in low-terrain soil (P＜0.05). Plants could regulate the physical and chemical properties and carbon composition of soil in different terrain, resulting in no significant difference in soil SOC contents of rhizosphere soil under different terrain. Soil DOM composition and bacterial community showed that high-terrain soil had higher bacterial diversity and bacterial activity, and plants significantly affected the bacterial community structure in soil through rhizosphere effects. The structural equation model demonstrated that terrain has an indirect impact on SOC through its influence on the fluorescence of soil DOM and bacterial diversity, and indirectly affected SIC content by altering soil water content (SWC), electrical conductivity and DOC. Plants directly or indirectly affected SOC content, and indirectly affected SIC content by changing SWC. This study contributes to a better understanding of the complex interactions between wetland ecosystems and their abiotic and biotic components, offering valuable information for wetland management and conservation efforts.

Anesthetic management of airway stent placement by rigid bronchoscopy with superior laryngeal nerve block while preserving spontaneous breathing: a case reportToshio Okada1), Mio Yoshida1), Tomoko Matsushita1), Yusuke Ishida1), Kinya Furukawa2), and Michihiro Murozono3)1) Department of Anesthesiology, Tokyo Medical University, 6-7-1 Nishishinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-0023, Japan2) Department of Thoracic Surgery, Tokyo Medical University Ibaraki Medical Center, 3-20-1 Chuo, Amimachi, Inashiki-gun, Ibaraki 300-0395, Japan3) Department of Anesthesiology, Tokyo Medical University Ibaraki Medical Center, 3-20-1 Chuo, Amimachi, Inashiki-gun, Ibaraki 300-0395, JapanCorresponding author: Toshio OkadaDepartment of AnesthesiologyTokyo Medical University6-7-1 Nishishinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-0023, JapanTel.: +81-03-3342-6111; Fax: +81-03-5381-6650Email: okd.shinjuku@gmail.com

Microevolutionary processes shape adaptive responses to heterogeneous environments, where these effects vary both among and within species. However, the degree to which signatures of adaptation to environmental drivers can be detected based on spatial scale and genomic marker remains largely unknown. We studied signatures of local adaptation across different spatial extents, investigating complementary types of genomic variants–single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and polymorphic transposable elements (TEs)–in populations of the alpine model plant species Arabis alpina. We coupled high-resolution (0.5m) environmental factors, derived from remote sensing digital elevation models, with whole-genome sequenced data of 304 individuals across four populations. We demonstrate that responses of A. alpina to similar amounts of abiotic variation are largely governed by local evolutionary processes and find minimally overlapping signatures of local adaptation between SNPs and polymorphic TEs. Notably, functional annotations of high-impact genomic variants revealed several defence-related genes associated with the abiotic factors studied, which could indicate indirect selective pressure of biotic agents. Our results highlight the importance of considering different spatial extents and types of genomic polymorphisms when searching for signatures of adaptation to environmental variation. Such insights provide key information on microevolutionary processes and could guide management decisions to mitigate negative impacts of climate change on alpine plant populations.

Abstract