Grouping tree species to estimate basal area increment in temperate multispecies forests in Durango,Mexico

Multispecies forests have received increased scientific attention,driven by the hypothesis that biodiversity improves ecological resilience.However,a greater species diversity presents challenges for forest management and research.Our study aims to develop basal area growth models for tree species cohorts.The analysis is based on a dataset of 423 permanent plots(2,500 m^(2))located in temperate forests in Durango,Mexico.First,we define tree species cohorts based on individual and neighborhood-based variables using a combination of principal component and cluster analyses.Then,we estimate the basal area increment of each cohort through the generalized additive model to describe the effect of tree size,competition,stand density and site quality.The principal component and cluster analyses assign a total of 37 tree species to eight cohorts that differed primarily with regard to the distribution of tree size and vertical position within the community.The generalized additive models provide satisfactory estimates of tree growth for the species cohorts,explaining between 19 and 53 percent of the total variation of basal area increment,and highlight the following results:i)most cohorts show a"rise-and-fall"effect of tree size on tree growth;ii)surprisingly,the competition index"basal area of larger trees"had showed a positive effect in four of the eight cohorts;iii)stand density had a negative effect on basal area increment,though the effect was minor in medium-and high-density stands,and iv)basal area growth was positively correlated with site quality except for an oak cohort.The developed species cohorts and growth models provide insight into their particular ecological features and growth patterns that may support the development of sustainable management strategies for temperate multispecies forests.

All-Orders Evolution of Parton Distributions:Principle,Practice,and Predictions

Parton distribution functions(PDFs)are defining expressions of hadron structure.Exploiting the role of effective charges in quantum chromodynamics,an algebraic scheme is described which,given any hadron’s valence parton PDFs at the hadron scale,delivers predictions for all its PDFs(unpolarized and polarized)at any higher scale.The scheme delivers results that are largely independent of both the value of the hadron scale and the pointwise form of the charge;and,inter alia,enables derivation of a model-independent identity that relates the strength of the proton’s gluon helicity PDF,ΔG_(p)ζ,to that of the analogous singlet polarized quark PDF and valence quark momentum fraction.Using available data fits and theory predictions,the identity yieldsΔG_(p)(ζC=√3 GeV)=1.48(10).It furthermore entails that the measurable quark helicity contribution to the proton spin is a_(op)^(ζC)=0.32(3),thereby reconciling contemporary experiment and theory.

Population structure of Araucaria angustifolia under distinct forest protection status:implications for management and conservation

Araucaria angustifolia is the dominant coniferous species in Brazil,a long-lived pioneer species and a supplier of valuable timber and non-timber products,which gives it key-species status.This study examines how A.angustifolia population structure affects the stand structure,and whether these relationships differ between protected and unprotected areas.The study was carried out on two protection status forests(national forest and urban forest)in a region of Atlantic mixed forest in ParanáState,southern Brazil.Skewness coefficient and the Weibull shape parameter described the population structure and its effects on species diversity and biomass stock.Population diameter distribution differed significantly between forests,with unbalanced structure in both,although regeneration was more abundant in the protected area.Skewness positively affected aboveground biomass whereas shape negatively affected it and species diversity.These relationships differed between protected and unprotected stands.The effect of A.angustifolia populations on stand structure was conditioned on protection status.Old-growth populations may have lower diversity and biomass stock even supporting large trees.Consequently,old-growth forests,can lead to wood loss through mortality,senescence,and declining populations,representing the waste of a valuable timber resource.These findings provide useful knowledge for forest management,species conservation,and the carbon market.

TIME PERIODIC SOLUTIONS TO THE EVOLUTIONARY OSEEN MODEL FOR A GENERALIZED NEWTONIAN INCOMPRESSIBLE FLUID

In this paper we study a nonstationary Oseen model for a generalized Newtonian incompressible fluid with a time periodic condition and a multivalued,nonmonotone friction law.First,a variational formulation of the model is obtained;that is a nonlinear boundary hemivariational inequality of parabolic type for the velocity field.Then,an abstract first-order evolutionary hemivariational inequality in the framework of an evolution triple of spaces is investigated.Under mild assumptions,the nonemptiness and weak compactness of the set of periodic solutions to the abstract inequality are proven.Furthermore,a uniqueness theorem for the abstract inequality is established by using a monotonicity argument.Finally,we employ the theoretical results to examine the nonstationary Oseen model.

Essential Oils as an Alternative to Antibiotics to Reduce the Incidence and Severity of Necrotic Enteritis in Broiler Chickens: A Short Review

Due to the removal of antibiotic growth promoters (AGPs) and consumer pressure for antibiotic-free (ABF) or no antibiotics ever (NAE) poultry production, there is a need for sustainable alternatives to prevent disease in commercial poultry operations. Without AGPs, there has been a rise in diseases that were traditionally controlled by subtherapeutic levels of antibiotics in the diet. This has impacted the health of commercial poultry and has been a significant cost to poultry producers. To mitigate this, the industry has started to investigate alternatives to antibiotics to treat these forthcoming health issues, such as necrotic enteritis (NE). NE is an enteric disease caused by an over proliferation of toxigenic Clostridium perfringens (CP) in the gastrointestinal tract. Although CP is a commensal in the avian intestinal tract, dysbiosis caused by inflammation and impaired intestinal integrity facilitates uncontrolled replication of CP. Infectious agents, such as Eimeria maxima, appear to be a predominant predisposing factor that promotes NE. However, non-infectious stressors, including dietary changes, have also been associated with NE to some degree. As a result of increased pressure to restrict the use of antibiotics, there is a need for research evaluating the efficacy of alternatives, such as plant-derived essential oils, as potential tools to mitigate NE in commercial poultry flocks. The aim of this study is to review the effects of essential oils as an alternative to antibiotics to reduce the incidence and severity of necrotic enteritis in broiler chickens.

Low-Dose Gamma Radiation Fields Decrease Cell Viability, Damage DNA, and Increase the Expression of Hsp70 and p53 Proteins in Human Leukocytes

Ionizing radiations are tools in diagnosis and treatment of diseases. Leukopenia from exposure to ionizing radiation has been reported. Due to their radiosensitivity, leukocytes are a biological model to analyze cell damage. Therefore, cell viability, DNA damage, and Hsp70 and p53 expression in human leukocytes exposed to low-dose gamma radiation fields from a 137Cs source were evaluated. A decrease in cell viability, DNA damage and an increase in the expression of Hsp70 and p53 proportional to the radiation dose received was found, which was 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8 and 1.0 mGy.

Quantum Codes Do Not Increase Fidelity against Isotropic Errors

In this article, we study the ability of error-correcting quantum codes to increase the fidelity of quantum states throughout a quantum computation. We analyze arbitrary quantum codes that encode all qubits involved in the computation, and we study the evolution of n-qubit fidelity from the end of one application of the correcting circuit to the end of the next application. We assume that the correcting circuit does not introduce new errors, that it does not increase the execution time (i.e. its application takes zero seconds) and that quantum errors are isotropic. We show that the quantum code increases the fidelity of the states perturbed by quantum errors but that this improvement is not enough to justify the use of quantum codes. Namely, we prove that, taking into account that the time interval between the application of the two corrections is multiplied (at least) by the number of qubits n (due to the coding), the best option is not to use quantum codes, since the fidelity of the uncoded state over a time interval n times smaller is greater than that of the state resulting from the quantum code correction.

Phylogeography and diversification of Oriental weaverbirds(Ploceus spp.):A gradual increase of eurytopy

Weaverbirds are a speciose group of colorful passerines inhabiting the Old World Tropics.Nevertheless,the Oriental weaverbirds(Ploceus spp.),widespread across southern Asia,are much less diverse and restricted to a few ecological niches compared to their African counterpart.To investigate their phylogeography,we retrieved 101 samples of Baya Weaver(P.philippinus),Streaked Weaver(P.manyar),Black-Throated Weaver(P.benghalensis)and Asian Golden Weaver(P.hypoxanthus)along with GenBank sequences of Finn's Weaver(P.megarhynchus).We reconstructed the first molecular phylogeny based on a dataset consisting of both mitochondrial and nuclear genes,dating the most recent common ancestor of Oriental Ploceus to~11 mya.Subsequent speciation appears to have been a combination of divergence within the Indian subcontinent and dispersal across a barrier situated between the Indian subcontinent and the Indochinese region,which provided habitats with a varying degree of isolations and ultimately promoted divergences in allopatry.Two descendants of the earliest nodes,P.megarhynchus and P.hypoxanthus,are both rare and local,often found near large river systems,which perhaps reflects niche conservatism and a lack of adaptive potential.The three smaller species are all widespread,common and less habitat specific.The most recent divergence,between western and eastern P.philippinus populations,is supported by both phylogenetic and morphological evidence,pointing toward limited gene flow between them.However,a zone of intergradation may exist in Myanmar and Brahmaputra flood plains,thus preventing a recommendation for species level recognition without further study.

Challenges in the Detection and Attribution of Northern Hemisphere Surface Temperature Trends Since 1850

Since 2007,the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change(IPCC)has heavily relied on the comparison between global climate model hindcasts and global surface temperature(ST)estimates for concluding that post-1950s global warming is mostly human-caused.In Connolly et al.,we cautioned that this approach to the detection and attribution of climate change was highly dependent on the choice of Total Solar Irradiance(TSI)and ST data sets.We compiled 16 TSI and five ST data sets and found by altering the choice of TSI or ST,one could(prematurely)conclude anything from the warming being“mostly human-caused”to“mostly natural.”Richardson and Benestad suggested our analysis was“erroneous”and“flawed”because we did not use a multilinear regression.They argued that applying a multilinear regression to one of the five ST series re-affirmed the IPCC's attribution statement.They also objected that many of the published TSI data sets were out-of-date.However,here we show that when applying multilinear regression analysis to an expanded and updated data set of 27 TSI series,the original conclusions of Connolly et al.are confirmed for all five ST data sets.Therefore,it is still unclear whether the observed warming is mostly human-caused,mostly natural or some combination of both.

Genetic and epigenetic targets of natural dietary compounds as anti-Alzheimer's agents

Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder and the most common cause of dementia that principally affects older adults.Pathogenic factors,such as oxidative stress,an increase in acetylcholinesterase activity,mitochondrial dysfunction,genotoxicity,and neuroinflammation are present in this syndrome,which leads to neurodegeneration.Neurodegenerative pathologies such as Alzheimer’s disease are considered late-onset diseases caused by the complex combination of genetic,epigenetic,and environmental factors.There are two main types of Alzheimer’s disease,known as familial Alzheimer’s disease(onset<65 years)and late-onset or sporadic Alzheimer’s disease(onset≥65 years).Patients with familial Alzheimer’s disease inherit the disease due to rare mutations on the amyloid precursor protein(APP),presenilin 1 and 2(PSEN1 and PSEN2)genes in an autosomaldominantly fashion with closely 100%penetrance.In contrast,a different picture seems to emerge for sporadic Alzheimer’s disease,which exhibits numerous non-Mendelian anomalies suggesting an epigenetic component in its etiology.Importantly,the fundamental pathophysiological mechanisms driving Alzheimer’s disease are interfaced with epigenetic dysregulation.However,the dynamic nature of epigenetics seems to open up new avenues and hope in regenerative neurogenesis to improve brain repair in Alzheimer’s disease or following injury or stroke in humans.In recent years,there has been an increase in interest in using natural products for the treatment of neurodegenerative illnesses such as Alzheimer’s disease.Through epigenetic mechanisms,such as DNA methylation,non-coding RNAs,histone modification,and chromatin conformation regulation,natural compounds appear to exert neuroprotective effects.While we do not purport to cover every in this work,we do attempt to illustrate how various phytochemical compounds regulate the epigenetic effects of a few Alzheimer’s disease-related genes.

1990-2020年阿根廷门多萨流域冰川变化研究

冰川是南美洲阿根廷门多萨流域(33°S)重要的淡水资源,冰川作为气候变化的敏感指示器,对于理解和评估全球和区域气候变化具有重要意义。为了解门多萨流域冰川分布及变化趋势,探讨其对区域水资源和生态系统的影响,为应对气候变化提供科学依据,研究基于1990-2020年Landsat遥感影像,参考RGI冰川编目数据和阿根廷国家冰川清单,通过比值阈值法和人工解译法得到7期冰川边界,研究了门多萨流域冰川面积分布与变化特征。并结合TerraClimate气候数据,揭示了该区域在研究期间的气候变化趋势,探讨了区域气候变化对冰川变化的影响。结果表明:①2020年门多萨流域冰川面积为134.09±11.86 km^(2),1990-2020年冰川总体呈极显著波动下降趋势(p<0.01),面积共减少了86.87±21.30 km^(2)(39.31±10.14%),其中,2010-2020年冰川面积退缩速率最高。②门多萨流域冰川规模>10 km^(2)占比最大,<0.1 km^(2)占比最小,>10 km^(2)规模冰川退缩速度最大;冰川主要分布在南坡,西北坡冰川最少,东南、东北坡冰川退缩速度最大;冰川主要分布在坡度5°~40°之间,50°~55°的冰川退缩速度最大;冰川主要分布在海拔4200~5400 m之间,<4000 m冰川退缩速率最大。③20世纪50年代末以来门多萨地区气温整体呈现极显著的上升趋势(p<0.001),研究区年均最高、最低气温每十年上升0.53、0.29℃。气温持续上升是门多萨流域冰川退缩的长期原因,降水变化是该区域冰川变化的短期原因。本研究为门多萨流域预防冰川变化导致的水资源可用性变化和地质灾害预防提供参考。

Impacts of PI3K/protein kinase B pathway activation in reactive astrocytes: from detrimental effects to protective functions

Astrocytes are the most abundant type of glial cell in the central nervous system.Upon injury and inflammation,astrocytes become reactive and undergo morphological and functional changes.Depending on their phenotypic classification as A1 or A2,reactive astrocytes contribute to both neurotoxic and neuroprotective responses,respectively.However,this binary classification does not fully capture the diversity of astrocyte responses observed across different diseases and injuries.Transcriptomic analysis has revealed that reactive astrocytes have a complex landscape of gene expression profiles,which emphasizes the heterogeneous nature of their reactivity.Astrocytes actively participate in regulating central nervous system inflammation by interacting with microglia and other cell types,releasing cytokines,and influencing the immune response.The phosphoinositide 3-kinase(PI3K)/protein kinase B(AKT)signaling pathway is a central player in astrocyte reactivity and impacts various aspects of astrocyte behavior,as evidenced by in silico,in vitro,and in vivo results.In astrocytes,inflammatory cues trigger a cascade of molecular events,where nuclear factor-κB serves as a central mediator of the pro-inflammatory responses.Here,we review the heterogeneity of reactive astrocytes and the molecular mechanisms underlying their activation.We highlight the involvement of various signaling pathways that regulate astrocyte reactivity,including the PI3K/AKT/mammalian target of rapamycin(mTOR),αvβ3 integrin/PI3K/AKT/connexin 43,and Notch/PI3K/AKT pathways.While targeting the inactivation of the PI3K/AKT cellular signaling pathway to control reactive astrocytes and prevent central nervous system damage,evidence suggests that activating this pathway could also yield beneficial outcomes.This dual function of the PI3K/AKT pathway underscores its complexity in astrocyte reactivity and brain function modulation.The review emphasizes the importance of employing astrocyte-exclusive models to understand their functions accurately and these models are essential for clarifying astrocyte behavior.The findings should then be validated using in vivo models to ensure real-life relevance.The review also highlights the significance of PI3K/AKT pathway modulation in preventing central nervous system damage,although further studies are required to fully comprehend its role due to varying factors such as different cell types,astrocyte responses to inflammation,and disease contexts.Specific strategies are clearly necessary to address these variables effectively.

Unveiling the brain’s symphony:exploring the necessity and sufficiency of neural networks in behavior control

Since the pioneering work by Broca and Wernicke in the 19th century,who examined individuals with brain lesions to associate them with specific behaviors,it was evident that behaviors are complex and cannot be fully attributable to specific brain areas alone.Instead,they involve connectivity among brain areas,whether close or distant.At that time,this approach was considered the optimal way to dissect brain circuitry and function.These pioneering efforts opened the field to explore the necessity or sufficiency of brain areas in controlling behavior and hence dissecting brain function.However,the connectivity of the brain and the mechanisms through which various brain regions regulate specific behaviors,either individually or collaboratively,remain largely elusive.Utilizing animal models,researchers have endeavored to unravel the necessity or sufficiency of specific brain areas in influencing behavior;however,no clear associations have been firmly established.

Integrating Levels of Hierarchical Organization in Porous Organic Molecular Materials

Porous organic molecular materials(POMMs)are an emergent class of molecular-based materials characterized by the formation of extended porous frameworks,mainly held by non-covalent interactions.POMMs represent a variety of chemical families,such as hydrogen-bonded organic frameworks,porous organic salts,porous organic cages,C-H···πmicroporous crystals,supramolecular organic frameworks,π-organic frameworks,halogen-bonded organic framework,and intrinsically porous molecular materials.In some porous materials such as zeolites and metal organic frameworks,the integration of multiscale has been adopted to build materials with multifunctionality and optimized properties.Therefore,considering the significant role of hierarchy in porous materials and the growing importance of POMMs in the realm of synthetic porous materials,we consider it appropriate to dedicate for the first time a critical review covering both topics.Herein,we will provide a summary of literature examples showcasing hierarchical POMMs,with a focus on their main synthetic approaches,applications,and the advantages brought forth by introducing hierarchy.

Navigating the controversy regarding antibiotic prophylaxis in acute variceal bleeding

Antibiotic prophylaxis in patients with cirrhosis and acute variceal bleeding is part of the standard of care according to most clinical guidelines.However,with recent evidence arguing against antibiotic prophylaxis,the role of this intervention has become less clear.

Clinicopathological alterations in wild mammals from the reservoir system of Trypanosoma cruzi:a scoping review

Trypanosoma cruzi is the etiologic agent of Chagas disease.This flagellated protozoan is transmitted to humans as well as different species of domestic and wild animals via vectors from the Reduviidae family(known as"kissing bugs").Despite the fact that hundreds of species of wild mammals are part of the reservoir system,the morphologi-cal changes and clinical manifestations resulting from the pathogenesis of the infection have been largely neglected.The aim of this review is to systematically compile the available information regarding clinicopathological altera-tions in wild mammals due to natural infection by T.cruzi.Information was obtained from six online bibliographic data search platforms,resulting in the identification of 29 publications that met the inclusion criteria.Mortality was the most common clinical manifestation,cardiac damage was the main finding at necropsy,and lymphoplas-macytic inflammation was the most frequent microscopic injury.Thus,regardless of its role as a reservoir,T.cruzi has the potential to affect the health status of wild mammals,a situation that highlights the need for further research to analyze,measure,and compare its effects at both the individual and population levels.

增材制造Ti6Al4V合金的闪速等离子体电解氧化与在生理介质中的电化学行为

研究激光粉末床熔融增材制造(AM)(又称直接金属激光烧结)技术制备的Ti6Al4V合金等离子体电解氧化(PEO)处理及其电化学行为。通过短时间(<120 s)PEO处理(也称闪速PEO),在AM合金和传统合金表面制备了3~10μm厚、含Ca和P的涂层。然后在改良的α-MEM溶液中,通过动电位极化曲线和电化学阻抗谱(EIS)评估了合金的电化学行为。与传统合金相比,AM合金中形成了细小的层片状α显微组织和层间小尺寸的β相颗粒,这促使了火花的产生,从而促进了PEO涂层的生长。闪速PEO涂层提高了传统合金和AM合金的耐腐蚀性,最薄的涂层(<3μm)提供了高达3倍的保护。AM Ti6Al4V由于其高的晶界密度,易受局部缝隙腐蚀的影响。而即使短至35 s的闪速PEO处理也足以成功避免这种情况。

碳基固体氧化物燃料电池研究进展

随着人们对绿色能源和环境友好型社会需求的日益增长,先进能量转换装置或系统的研发亟待加速,而燃料电池系统被认为是最有希望的未来发电装置。在不同种类的燃料电池中,固体氧化物燃料电池(SOFCs)是一种清洁环保的发电装置,因其独特的多燃料运行能力及能量转化效率高等优点而前景广阔。然而,传统使用镍-金属陶瓷阳极的SOFCs,在碳氢化合物燃料下运行时,由于燃料的不完全氧化会使阳极产生积碳,从而导致电池性能下降。讨论了碳基SOFC中碳沉积机理和解决阳极积碳的策略,重点介绍了目前广泛研究的具有混合离子-电子导体的双金属-金属陶瓷材料的种类以及研究进展,并总结了双金属-金属陶瓷材料的抗积碳机理,主要表现为降低阳极表面的碳沉积速率以及加速积碳的去除。还介绍了在还原性气氛中,钙钛矿材料中纳米粒子原位偏析的原理,并讨论了原位偏析所形成的纳米颗粒以及其与钙钛矿主体所形成的金属氧化物异质结构在抗积碳阳极中的应用。此外,还探究了多层阳极和单原子催化剂阳极在中温SOFCs中的应用。在燃料电池技术巨大进步的推动下,人们对可用于固定式发电的集成煤气化的燃料电池发电系统(IGFCs)产生了新的兴趣,该系统对于实现煤炭的清洁高效利用具有重要意义,该技术的关键依托于SOFCs的成熟度。最后,总结并指出了碳基SOFCs未来的一些研究方向。

Interplay between mesenchymal stromal cells and the immune system after transplantation: implications for advanced cell therapy in the retina

Advanced mesenchymal stromal cell-based therapies for neurodegenerative diseases are widely investigated in preclinical models.Mesenchymal stromal cells are well positioned as therapeutics because they address the underlying mechanisms of neurodegeneration,namely trophic factor deprivation and neuroinflammation.Most studies have focused on the beneficial effects of mesenchymal stromal cell transplantation on neuronal survival or functional improvement.However,little attention has been paid to the interaction between mesenchymal stromal cells and the host immune system due to the immunomodulatory properties of mesenchymal stromal cells and the long-held belief of the immunoprivileged status of the central nervous system.Here,we review the crosstalk between mesenchymal stromal cells and the immune system in general and in the context of the central nervous system,focusing on recent work in the retina and the importance of the type of transplantation.

Role of lipids in the control of autophagy and primary cilium signaling in neurons

The brain is,after the adipose tissue,the organ with the greatest amount of lipids and diversity in their composition in the human body.In neurons,lipids are involved in signaling pathways controlling autophagy,a lysosome-dependent catabolic process essential for the maintenance of neuronal homeostasis and the function of the primary cilium,a cellular antenna that acts as a communication hub that transfers extracellular signals into intracellular responses required for neurogenesis and brain development.A crosstalk between primary cilia and autophagy has been established;however,its role in the control of neuronal activity and homeostasis is barely known.In this review,we briefly discuss the current knowledge regarding the role of autophagy and the primary cilium in neurons.Then we review the recent literature about specific lipid subclasses in the regulation of autophagy,in the control of primary cilium structure and its dependent cellular signaling in physiological and pathological conditions,specifically focusing on neurons,an area of research that could have major implications in neurodevelopment,energy homeostasis,and neurodegeneration.