Differential modulation of crown allometry and stem growth at gap edges in five European tree species by drought conditions

Background In Central Europe,forests are increasingly affected by various disturbances,resulting in an increasing gap formation in the canopy.In order to support goal-oriented management,more knowledge is required about the acclimation of the crown and its effects on the basal area growth of trees at the edge of a gap.Methods This work compared trees'growth and crown structure at the edge of a transient gap,with a gap size of more than 80m^(2),with trees in the stand that were at least 30m away from the gap.A total of 249 European beeches(Fagus sylvatica L.),Norway spruces(Picea abies L.Karst),Scots pines(Pinus sylvestris L.),oaks(Quercus spp.;Quercus petraea(Matt.)Liebl.,Quercus robur L.),and silver firs(Abies alba Mill.)were examined on long-term experimental plots in southern Germany.Various crown measures were developed and calculated using high-resolution terrestrial laser scanning(TLiDAR)to capture the three-dimensional crown structures.Growth responses to edge conditions were measured based on tree rings.Using linear mixed models,we predict the basal area increment of edge trees relative to trees in the stand under wet and dry soil moisture conditions after the gap formation.Results We identified i)species-specific acclimation of the crown of edge trees after the gap formation,ii)under wet soil moisture conditions a growth increase of 25%–45%for beech,pine,and oak edge trees and growth losses of 5%–60%for spruce and fir and iii)coniferous tree species benefited from the edge position regarding their basal area increment under dry soil moisture conditions and deciduous tree species grew regardless of the soil moisture conditions at the edge of a gap.Conclusion Gaps have a species-specific effect on the habitus and growth of edge trees and can have both positive and negative impacts on silviculture.

Theoretical investigation on axial cyclic performance of monopile in sands using interface constitutive models

Cyclic loads generated by environmental factors,such as winds,waves,and trains,will likely lead to performance degradation in pile foundations,resulting in issues like permanent displacement accumulation and bearing capacity attenuation.This paper presents a semi-analytical solution for predicting the axial cyclic behavior of piles in sands.The solution relies on two enhanced nonlinear load-transfer models considering stress-strain hysteresis and cyclic degradation in the pile-soil interaction.Model parameters are calibrated through cyclic shear tests of the sand-steel interface and laboratory geotechnical testing of sands.A novel aspect involves the meticulous formulation of the shaft loadtransfer function using an interface constitutive model,which inherently inherits the interface model’s advantages,such as capturing hysteresis,hardening,degradation,and particle breakage.The semi-analytical solution is computed numerically using the matrix displacement method,and the calculated values are validated through model tests performed on non-displacement and displacement piles in sands.The results demonstrate that the predicted values show excellent agreement with the measured values for both the static and cyclic responses of piles in sands.The displacement pile response,including factors such as bearing capacity,mobilized shaft resistance,and convergence rate of permanent settlement,exhibit improvements compared to non-displacement piles attributed to the soil squeezing effect.This methodology presents an innovative analytical framework,allowing for integrating cyclic interface models into the theoretical investigation of pile responses.

In‑depth proteome characterization of endometrium and extraembryonic membranes during implantation in pig

Background Proteome characterization of the porcine endometrium and extraembryonic membranes is important to understand mother-embryo cross-communication.In this study,the proteome of the endometrium and cho-rioallantoic membrane was characterized in pregnant sows(PS)during early gestation(d 18 and 24 of gestation)and in the endometrium of non-pregnant sows(NPS)during the same days using LC-MS/MS analysis.The UniProtKB database and ClueGO were used to obtain functional Gene Ontology annotations and biological and functional networks,respectively.Results Our analysis yielded 3,254 and 3,457 proteins identified in the endometrium of PS and NPS,respectively;of these,1,753 being common while 1,501 and 1,704 were exclusive to PS and NPS,respectively.In addition,we iden-tified 3,968 proteins in the extraembryonic membranes of PS.Further analyses of function revealed some proteins had relevance for the immune system process and biological adhesion in endometrium while the embryonic chorion displayed abundance of proteins related to cell adhesion and cytoskeletal organization,suggesting they dominated the moment of endometrial remodeling,implantation and adhesion of the lining epithelia.Data are available via Pro-teomeXchange with identifier PXD042565.Conclusion This is the first in-depth proteomic characterization of the endometrium and extraembryonic mem-branes during weeks 3 to 4 of gestation;data that contribute to the molecular understanding of the dynamic environ-ment during this critical period,associated with the majority of pregnancy losses.

Assessing the effect of invasive organisms on forests under information uncertainty: The case of pine wood nematode in continental Europe

Forests worldwide are experiencing increasingly intense biotic disturbances;however,assessing impacts of these disturbances is challenging due to the diverse range of organisms involved and the complex interactions among them.This particularly applies to invasive species,which can greatly alter ecological processes in their invaded territories.Here we focus on the pine wood nematode(PWN,Bursaphelenchus xylophilus),an invasive pathogen that has caused extensive mortality of pines in East Asia and more recently has invaded southern Europe.It is expected to expand its range into continental Europe with heavy impacts possible.Given the unknown dynamics of PWN in continental Europe,we reviewed laboratory and field experiments conducted in Asia and southern Europe to parameterize the main components of PWN biology and host-pathogen interactions in the Biotic Disturbance Engine(BITE),a model designed to implement a variety of forest biotic agents,from fungi to large herbivores.To simulate dynamically changing host availability and conditions,BITE was coupled with the forest landscape model iLand.The potential impacts of introducing PWN were assessed in a Central European forest landscape(40,928ha),likely within PWN’s reach in future decades.A parameter sensitivity analysis indicated a substantial influence of factors related to dispersal,colonization,and vegetation impact,whereas parameters related to population growth manifested a minor effect.Selection of different assumptions about biological processes resulted in differential timing and size of the main mortality wave,eliminating 40%–95%of pine trees within 100 years post-introduction,with a maximum annual carbon loss between 1.3%and 4.2%.PWN-induced tree mortality reduced the Gross Primary Productivity,increased heterotrophic respiration,and generated a distinct legacy sink effect in the recovery period.This assessment has corroborated the ecological plausibility of the simulated dynamics and highlighted the need for new strategies to navigate the substantial uncertainty in the agent’s biology and population dynamics.

Enhancing the Decomposition of Paper Cups Using Galleria Mellonella and Eisenia Fetida

The composition of paper cups creates a challenge for the recycling industry,as the paperboard–plastic film composite is hard to separate.Therefore,paper cups are sent to landfills or waste incinerators.This study explores the combined use of red worms(Eisenia fetida)and Greater wax moth(Galleria mellonella)in the biodegradation of paper cups.The study investigates the conditions and combinations that promote using Eisenia fetida and Galleria mellonella for degrading paper cups.The study considered the influence of environmental temperature,the presence of food waste,varying the number of Eisenia fetida worms,and the presence of a Galleria mellonella growth-slowing agent on the degradation process.To achieve the study objectives,the study followed a quantitative approach.The study monitored the degradation of paper cup cuts that were placed in jars containing different combinations of Eisenia fetida worms,Galleria mellonella larvae,food waste,bedding material,and Galleria mellonella growth-slowing agents.The study found that the best operating temperature is 30oC.The study found that using food waste improves the performance of Eisenia fetida worms and Galleria mellonella larvae significantly.The study found that adding a Galleria mellonella growth-slowing agent slightly enhances the degradation of the paper cup.Finally,a numerical model was obtained to simulate the paper cup degradation efficiency.

Impact of phytoconstituents on oral health practices:a post COVID-19 observation

Appropriate oral hygiene significantly reduces the possibility of oral infections.However,dental caries and periodontal diseases are major oral health issues causing chronic diseases due to poor oral health.Recently,herbal compounds have gained interest in maintaining oral health.Extracts of burdock root(Arctium),noni fruit(Morinda citrifolia),and neem leaf(Azadirachta indica)are now used as intracanal medicaments in endodontics and periodontics.Plectranthus amboinicus species and other plants produces essential oil likeβ-caryophyllene,p-cymene,andγ-terpinene can exhibit antibacterial activity;highlighting phytoconstituents plays a vital role in oral health.The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the importance of hygiene and sanitization,to curb SARS-CoV-2.Oral cavity is among the gateways for virus entry into saliva.Saliva is a potential reservoir of SARS-CoV-2,and there is an increased risk of infection if there is any fissure in the mouth.This enables entry of virus into the vascular system through gingival or periodontal pocket,possibly reaching lung periphery then to lung vessels by interacting with endothelial surface receptors triggering pulmonary vasoconstriction and lung damage due to endothelial dysfunction.This review aims to draw attention to the possible route of SARS-CoV-2 infection via the oral cavity and the importance of oral hygiene against COVID-19.

Effect of blockchain technology initiatives on firms’market value

Despite blockchain’s potential to transform corporations by providing new ways of organizing business processes and handling information,extant research pays inadequate attention to how and under what conditions blockchain technology provides additional financial value for shareholders.Drawing on the efficient market hypothesis and signaling theory,we examined the relationship between firms’blockchain use,development announcements,and stock market reactions.We used the event study methodology to analyze a sample of blockchain projects initiated by US firms between 2016 and 2019.The sample contains 114 firm-event observations.The findings show that the average abnormal return over a 2 days event period(including the day of the announcement and the day after the announcement)was positive.This positive stock market reaction is even more substantial when firms announce blockchain projects that focus on saving cost or time.Our findings also indicate that blockchain announcements tend to elicit more positive market reactions from smaller firms.We analyzed 249 firm-event observations containing firms from around the world and conclude that blockchain technology has a non-significant long-term impact on operating performance.The contingency approach adopted in our research provides advice for selecting the right mix of blockchain investment initiatives that is most suitable for a given organizational context.

Technical Analysis of Security Management in Terms of Crowd Energy and Smart Living

In this paper, a technical and statistical analysis of security system and security management is provided for crowd energy and smart living. At the same time, a clear understanding is made for crowd energy concept and next generation smart living. Various case examples have been studied and a brief summary has been provided.Furthermore, a statistical analysis has been provided in terms of security management in smart living where it is found that young technocrats give the highest importance to security management in smart living. Last but not the least, current limitation, constraints, and future scope of security implementation have been discussed in terms of crowd energy clustered with next generation smart living.

Carcinoid syndrome caused by a pulmonary carcinoid mimics intestinal manifestations of ulcerative colitis:A case report

BACKGROUND Pulmonary carcinoids are rare,low-grade malignant tumors characterized by neuroendocrine differentiation and relatively indolent clinical behavior.Most cases present as a slow-growing polypoidal mass in the major bronchi leading to hemoptysis and pulmonary infection due to blockage of the distal bronchi.Carcinoid syndrome is a paraneoplastic syndrome caused by the systemic release of vasoactive substances that presents in 5%of patients with neuroendocrine tumors.Due to such nonspecific presentation,most patients are misdiagnosed or diagnosed late and may receive several courses of antibiotics to treat recurrent pneumonia before the tumor is diagnosed.CASE SUMMARY We report the case of a 48-year-old male who presented with cough,dyspnea,a history of recurrent pneumonitis,and therapy-refractory ulcerative colitis that completely subsided after the resection of a pulmonary carcinoid.CONCLUSION We report and emphasize pulmonary carcinoid as a differential diagnosis in patients with nonresponding inflammatory bowel diseases and recurrent pneumonia.

Numerical Visualization of Grease Flow in a Gearbox

Lubricating greases are widely used in e.g.open gear drives and gearboxes with difficult sealing conditions.The efficiency and heat balance of grease-lubricated gearboxes depend strongly on the lubrication mechanisms channeling and circulating,for which the grease flow is causal.The computational fluid dynamics opens up the possibility to visualize and understand the grease flow in gearboxes in more detail.In this study,a single-stage gearbox lubricated with an NLGI 1-2 grease was modeled by the finite-volume method to numerically investigate the fluid flow.Results show that the rotating gears influence the grease sump only locally around the gears.For a low grease fill volume,the rotation of the gears is widely separated from the grease sump.For a high grease fill volume,a pronounced geargrease interaction results in a circulating grease flow around the gears.The simulated grease distributions show good accordance with high-speed camera recordings.

Leaf thermal tolerance and sensitivity of temperate tree species are correlated with leaf physiological and functional drought resistance traits

Climate change is causing more frequent and severe climatic events,such as extreme heat and co-occurring drought,potentially accelerating tree mortality.Which tree species will cope better with those extreme events is still being researched.This study focuses on heat as a physiological stress factor and interspecifi c variation of thermal tolerance and sensitivity traits in 15 temperate coniferous and broad-leaved tree species.We investigate(1)whether thermal tolerance and sensitivity traits correlate with a droughtrelated physiological trait,particularly the leaf turgor loss point(πtlp,wilting point),and(2)how thermal tolerance and sensitivity traits co-vary within diff erent tree-functional types classifi ed by morphological and physiological traits of the leaf,i.e.,leaf mass per area(LMA)and percentage loss of area(PLA).The study was carried out in the Traunstein Forest Dynamics Plot of the ForestGEO network in Germany.The temperature response of the maximum quantum yield of photosystem II(F_(v)/F_(m))on leaf discs was determined,from which various physiological leaf traits were estimated,one of which is the breaking point temperature(T_(5)),the temperature at which F_(v)/F_(m)declines by 5%.Additionally,the temperature of 50%(T_(50))and 95%(T_(95))decline in F_(v)/F_(m)was evaluated.The decline width between T_(50)and T 5(DW T_(50)−T_(5))was taken as an indicator of the species’thermal sensitivity.The breaking point temperature ranged from 35.4±3.0 to 47.9±3.9℃among the investigated tree species and T 50 ranged between 46.1±0.4 and 53.6±0.7℃.A large interspecifi c variation of thermal tolerance and sensitivity was found.European ash(Fraxinus excelsior L.)was the most heat-sensitive species,while Wild cherry(Prunus avium L.)was the least heat-sensitive species.Species with a more negativeπtlp tended to have a higher breaking point temperature than species with a less negativeπtlp.A lower thermal sensitivity characterized species with a higher LMA,and high PLA was found in species with low thermal sensitivity.Accordingly,species with thicker and tougher leaves have lower thermal sensitivity which coincides with a lower wilting point.We conclude that species that develop drought-adapted foliage can cope better with heat stress.Further,they might be able to maintain transpirational cooling during combined heat and drought stress,which could lessen their mortality risk during climatic extremes.

Bio-inspired tetracarbene compounds as a new family of energy saving catalysts

Efficient use of energy is a pressing issue.Improvement of chemical processes is currently an important target for energy efficiency.Although chemical processes are independent of pathways with respect to the final energy output or consumption,the application of catalysts can reduce involved activation energies considerably and therefore save large amounts of energy.

Finned Zn-MFI zeolite encapsulated noble metal nanoparticle catalysts for the oxidative dehydrogenation of propane with carbon dioxide

Oxidative dehydrogenation of propane with carbon dioxide(CO_(2)-ODP)characterizes the tandem dehydrogenation of propane to propylene with the reduction of the greenhouse gas of CO_(2)to valuable CO.However,the existing catalyst is limited due to the poor activity and stability,which hinders its industrialization.Herein,we design the finned Zn-MFI zeolite encapsulated noble metal nanoparticles(NPs)as bifunctional catalysts(NPs@Zn-MFI)for CO_(2)-ODP.Characterization results reveal that the Zn2+species are coordinated with the MFI zeolite matrix as isolated cations and the NPs of Pt,Rh,or Rh Pt are highly dispersed in the zeolite crystals.The isolated Zn2+cations are very effective for activating the propane and the small NPs are favorable for activating the CO_(2),which synergistically promote the selective transformation of propane and CO_(2)to propylene and CO.As a result,the optimal 0.25%Rh0.50%Pt@Zn-MFI catalyst shows the best propylene yield,satisfactory CO_(2)conversion,and long-term stability.Moreover,considering the tunable synergetic effects between the isolated cations and NPs,the developed approach offers a general guideline to design more efficient CO_(2)-ODP catalysts,which is validated by the improved performance of the bifunctional catalysts via simply substituting Sn4+cations for Zn2+cations in the MFI zeolite matrix.

Visualization of Landscape Changes in a 3D Environment Using the Storytelling Approach—The Example of the City of Pristina

This study proposes a detailed concept of how landscape changes can be transferred and communicated in a 3D environment using the storytelling approach. In 2018, Mocnik and Fairbairn argued that maps are good for representing a geographic space but texts have a better benefit than maps for telling a story [1]. A framework is presented on how a landscape change can be retrieved out of textual descriptions. A prototype of a 3D model with a projection on top of it was developed. The case study tells the story of the landscape change in the city of Pristina. The key element of the visualization is a timeline. Several media like cadastral maps, orthophotos, texts, graphics, and background sound are used and combined in an animated light show and the visualization was evaluated within a user study.

ResoNet:Robust and Explainable ENSO Forecasts with Hybrid Convolution and Transformer Networks

Recent studies have shown that deep learning(DL)models can skillfully forecast El Niño–Southern Oscillation(ENSO)events more than 1.5 years in advance.However,concerns regarding the reliability of predictions made by DL methods persist,including potential overfitting issues and lack of interpretability.Here,we propose ResoNet,a DL model that combines CNN(convolutional neural network)and transformer architectures.This hybrid architecture enables our model to adequately capture local sea surface temperature anomalies as well as long-range inter-basin interactions across oceans.We show that ResoNet can robustly predict ENSO at lead times of 19 months,thus outperforming existing approaches in terms of the forecast horizon.According to an explainability method applied to ResoNet predictions of El Niño and La Niña from 1-to 18-month leads,we find that it predicts the Niño-3.4 index based on multiple physically reasonable mechanisms,such as the recharge oscillator concept,seasonal footprint mechanism,and Indian Ocean capacitor effect.Moreover,we demonstrate for the first time that the asymmetry between El Niño and La Niña development can be captured by ResoNet.Our results could help to alleviate skepticism about applying DL models for ENSO prediction and encourage more attempts to discover and predict climate phenomena using AI methods.

Strain-dependent alpha-synuclein spreading in Parkinson's disease and multiple system atrophy

Parkinson's disease(PD) and atypical Parkinsonian syndromes,such as multiple system atrophy(MSA) and Dementia with Lewy bodies,are neurodegenerative movement disorders characterized by the accumulation of alphasynuclein(a-syn) aggregates.These a-syn aggregates propagate throughout the brain in a prion-like manner,where pathological a-syn recruits endogenous a-syn to form insoluble aggregates.Oligomeric forms representing intermediates on the way to insoluble aggregates result in the most pronounced neurotoxic effects.

Correcting Climate Model Sea Surface Temperature Simulations with Generative Adversarial Networks:Climatology,Interannual Variability,and Extremes

Climate models are vital for understanding and projecting global climate change and its associated impacts.However,these models suffer from biases that limit their accuracy in historical simulations and the trustworthiness of future projections.Addressing these challenges requires addressing internal variability,hindering the direct alignment between model simulations and observations,and thwarting conventional supervised learning methods.Here,we employ an unsupervised Cycle-consistent Generative Adversarial Network(CycleGAN),to correct daily Sea Surface Temperature(SST)simulations from the Community Earth System Model 2(CESM2).Our results reveal that the CycleGAN not only corrects climatological biases but also improves the simulation of major dynamic modes including the El Niño-Southern Oscillation(ENSO)and the Indian Ocean Dipole mode,as well as SST extremes.Notably,it substantially corrects climatological SST biases,decreasing the globally averaged Root-Mean-Square Error(RMSE)by 58%.Intriguingly,the CycleGAN effectively addresses the well-known excessive westward bias in ENSO SST anomalies,a common issue in climate models that traditional methods,like quantile mapping,struggle to rectify.Additionally,it substantially improves the simulation of SST extremes,raising the pattern correlation coefficient(PCC)from 0.56 to 0.88 and lowering the RMSE from 0.5 to 0.32.This enhancement is attributed to better representations of interannual,intraseasonal,and synoptic scales variabilities.Our study offers a novel approach to correct global SST simulations and underscores its effectiveness across different time scales and primary dynamical modes.

No generality in biodiversity-productivity relationships along elevation in temperate and subtropical forest landscapes

An improved understanding of biodiversity-productivity relationships(BPRs)along environmental gradients is crucial for effective ecosystem management and biodiversity conservation.The stress-gradient hypothesis suggests that BPRs are stronger in stressful environments compared to more favorable conditions.However,there is limited knowledge regarding the variation of BPRs along elevational gradients and their generality across different landscapes.To study how BPRs change with elevation,we harnessed inventory data on 6,431 trees from152 plots surveyed twice in eight to ten year intervals in mountain forests of temperate Europe and subtropical Asia.We quantified the relationship between aboveground productivity and different biodiversity measures,including taxonomic,functional,and phylogenetic diversity.To elucidate the processes underlying BPRs,we studied the variation of different functional traits along elevation across landscapes.We found no general pattern of BPRs across landscapes and elevations.Relationships were neutral for all biodiversity measures in temperate forests,and negative for taxonomic and functional diversity in subtropical forests.BPRs were largely congruent between taxonomic,functional and phylogenetic diversity.We found only weak support for the stress-gradient hypothesis,with BPRs turning from negative to positive(effect not significant)close to the tree line in subtropical forests.In temperate forests,however,elevation patterns were strongly modulated by species identity effects as influenced by specific traits.The effect of traits such as community-weighted mean of maximum plant height and wood density on productivity was congruent across landscapes.Our study highlights the context-dependence of BPRs across elevation gradients and landscapes.Species traits are key modulating factors of BPRs and should be considered more explicitly in studies of the functional role of biodiversity.Furthermore,our findings highlight that potential trade-offs between conserving biodiversity and fostering ecosystem productivity exist,which require more attention in policy and management.

Long-term outcome and prognostic factors of patients with hilar cholangiocarcinoma

AIM： To evaluate the long-term outcome and prognostic factors of patients with hilar cholangiocarinoma. METHODS： Ninety-six consecutive patients underwent treatment for malignant hilar bile duct tumors during 1995-2005. Of the 96 patients, 20 were initially treated with surgery （n = 2 R0 / n = 18 R1）. In non-operated patients, data analysis was performed retrospectively. RESULTS： Among the 96 patients, 76 were treated with endoscopic transpapillary （ERC, n = 45） and/or percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage （PTBD, n = 31）. The mean survival time of these 76 patients undergoing palliative endoscopic and/or percutaneous drainage was 359 ± 296 d. The mean survival time of patients with initial bilirubin levels 〉 10 mg/dL was significantly lower （P 〈 0.001） than patients with bilirubin levels 〈 10 mg/dL. The mean survival time of patients with Bismuth stage Ⅱ （n = 8）, Ⅲ （n = 28） and Ⅳ （n = 40） was 496 =1= 300 d, 441 ± 385 d and 274 ± 218 d, respectively. Thus, patients with advanced Bismuth stage showed a reduced mean survival time, but the difference was not significant. The type of biliary drainage had no significant benefidal effect on the mean survival time （ERC vs PTBD, P = 0.806）. CONCLUSION： Initial bilirubin level is a significant prognostic factor for survival of patients. In contrast, age, tumor stage according to the Bismuth-Corlette classification, and types of intervention are not significant prognostic parameters for survival. Palliative treatment with endoscopic or percutaneous biliary drainage is still suboptimal, new diagnostic and therapeutic tools need to be evaluated.

Climate change, water resources and sustainable development in the arid and semi-arid lands of Central Asia in the past 30 years

The countries of Central Asia are collectively known as the five "-stans": Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan and Kazakhstan. In recent times, the Central Asian region has been affected by the shrinkage of the Aral Sea, widespread desertification, soil salinization, biodiversity loss, frequent sand storms, and many other ecological disasters. This paper is a review article based upon the collection, identification and collation of previous studies of environmental changes and regional developments in Central Asia in the past 30 years. Most recent studies have reached a consensus that the temperature rise in Central Asia is occurring faster than the global average. This warming trend will not only result in a higher evaporation in the basin oases, but also to a significant retreat of glaciers in the mountainous areas. Water is the key to sustainable development in the arid and semi-arid regions in Central Asia. The uneven distribution, over consumption, and pollution of water resources in Central Asia have caused severe water supply problems, which have been affecting regional harmony and development for the past 30 years. The widespread and significant land use changes in the 1990 s could be used to improve our understanding of natural variability and human interaction in the region. There has been a positive trend of trans-border cooperation among the Central Asian countries in recent years. International attention has grown and research projects have been initiated to provide water and ecosystem protection in Central Asia. However, the agreements that have been reached might not be able to deliver practical action in time to prevent severe ecological disasters. Water management should be based on hydrographic borders and ministries should be able to make timely decisions without political intervention. Fully integrated management of water resources, land use and industrial development is essential in Central Asia. The ecological crisis should provide sufficient motivation to reach a consensus on unified water management throughout the region.