Changes In Distribution Research Articles

Antifungal Tetrahydrocarbazole Compound CAR-8 Induces Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress in Candida albicans.

The development of new effective antifungal agents is essential to combat fungal infections. Tetrahydrocarbazole has been exploited as a promising skeleton against various pathogenic microorganisms and is used to search for novel active antifungal compounds. In this study, a library composed of small tetrahydrocarbazole compounds was screened, and a potent antifungal agent, CAR-8, was identified with a minimum inhibitory concentration of 2-4 μg/mL against Candida albicans. CAR-8 showed strong fungicidal activities and killed almost all C. albicans within 3 h at a concentration of 16 μg/mL. At concentrations of 2 and 8 μg/mL, CAR-8 significantly inhibited the formation of hyphae and biofilms. Moreover, CAR-8 at 10 and 20 mg/kg reduced the fungal load and improved the survival in the C. albicans infection model in the invertebrate Galleria mellonella. Transcriptome analysis revealed significant changes in the expression of genes associated with protein processing in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), ER-associated degradation, and unfolded protein response (UPR), which suggested that CAR-8 treatment induced ER stress. Moreover, CAR-8 treatment resulted in various phenotypes similar to tunicamycin, a classical ER stress inducer. These included nonconventional splicing of HAC1 mRNA, the fragmented morphology of ER, the distribution changes of GFP-Snc1 in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, and cell apoptosis probably caused by ER stress. More importantly, the disruption of IRE1 or HAC1 increased the sensitivity of C. albicans to CAR-8, confirming that the UPR signaling pathway was critical for CAR-8 resistance. Overall, our study identifies a potent ER stress-induced antifungal compound that will help the discovery of new antifungal drugs.

Treating gaps and biases in biodiversity data as a missing data problem.

Big biodiversity data sets have great potential for monitoring and research because of their large taxonomic, geographic and temporal scope. Such data sets have become especially important for assessing temporal changes in species' populations and distributions. Gaps in the available data, especially spatial and temporal gaps, often mean that the data are not representative of the target population. This hinders drawing large-scale inferences, such as about species' trends, and may lead to misplaced conservation action. Here, we conceptualise gaps in biodiversity monitoring data as a missing data problem, which provides a unifying framework for the challenges and potential solutions across different types of biodiversity data sets. We characterise the typical types of data gaps as different classes of missing data and then use missing data theory to explore the implications for questions about species' trends and factors affecting occurrences/abundances. By using this framework, we show that bias due to data gaps can arise when the factors affecting sampling and/or data availability overlap with those affecting species. But a data set per se is not biased. The outcome depends on the ecological question and statistical approach, which determine choices around which sources of variation are taken into account. We argue that typical approaches to long-term species trend modelling using monitoring data are especially susceptible to data gaps since such models do not tend to account for the factors driving missingness. To identify general solutions to this problem, we review empirical studies and use simulation studies to compare some of the most frequently employed approaches to deal with data gaps, including subsampling, weighting and imputation. All these methods have the potential to reduce bias but may come at the cost of increased uncertainty of parameter estimates. Weighting techniques are arguably the least used so far in ecology and have the potential to reduce both the bias and variance of parameter estimates. Regardless of the method, the ability to reduce bias critically depends on knowledge of, and the availability of data on, the factors creating data gaps. We use this review to outline the necessary considerations when dealing with data gaps at different stages of the data collection and analysis workflow.

Democracy and ethnic inequality: a comparative case study

ABSTRACT Recent studies have found that democratization and reductions of socioeconomic ethnic inequality generally show a positive association. Yet, the causal mechanisms behind the co-variation are not well understood. Moreover, the identified relationship covers considerable heterogeneity, with some transitions to democracy being followed by significant distributive change and others not. To shed additional light on the relationship, this article examines the political and social dynamics related to five democratic transitions. Three led to reduced socioeconomic inequality across ethnic groups, two did not. The “positive” cases (Bolivia, South Africa, and Nepal after 2006) reveal that political empowerment of socioeconomically disadvantaged groups and consequent changes in policies constitute important drivers of reduced ethnic inequalities. In contrast, the “negative” cases (Guatemala and Nepal 1991–2002) demonstrate that democracy only leads to reduced ethnic inequality if democratization is followed by effective mobilization by the previously excluded group(s), and this step might be obstructed by traditional elites.

In-line monitoring and modelling of particle size reduction of hexagonal boron nitride (hBN) suspension in femtosecond laser processing

This study investigates the particle-size reduction of hexagonal boron nitride (hBN) suspensions under femtosecond-laser irradiation. We propose an in-line monitoring method that uses transmission spectroscopy (TS) in the visible wavelength region to evaluate the changes in particle-size distribution. The Ångström exponent (α), derived from the wavelength dependence of optical thickness, is employed as an indicator of particle-size reduction. The effectiveness of α is validated through comparison with particle-size distributions obtained by the particle tracking method. We demonstrate real-time monitoring of particle-size variation in a flow system using in-line TS measurements. The dependence of α on laser energy and hBN concentration is also investigated. Furthermore, we introduce an indicator, the average number of size-reduction events per particle (N SR), and a model for estimating it under various experimental conditions. The N SR indicator and the model for its derivation provide a unified understanding of the experimental results obtained under various conditions, such as treatment volume, laser energy, and hBN concentration, suggesting that they capture the essential aspects of laser propagation in the suspension and the particle-size reduction process. This study highlights the potential of α as an in-line process monitoring tool and the significance of the N SR indicator and its model in understanding the underlying mechanisms of laser processing for particle-size reduction in suspensions.

Dynamic Evolution Law of Production Stress Field in Fractured Tight Sandstone Horizontal Wells Considering Stress Sensitivity of Multiple Media

Inter-well frac-hit has become an important challenge in the development of unconventional oil and gas resources such as fractured tight sandstone. Due to the presence of hydraulic fracturing fractures, secondary induced fractures, natural fractures, and other seepage media in real formations, the acquisition of stress fields requires the coupling effect of seepage and stress. In this process, there is also stress sensitivity, which leads to unclear dynamic evolution laws of stress fields and increases the difficulty of the staged multi-cluster fracturing of horizontal wells. The use of a multi-stage stress-sensitive horizontal well production stress field prediction model is an effective means of analyzing the influence of natural fracture parameters, main fracture parameters, and multi-stage stress sensitivity coefficients on the stress field. This article considers multi-stage stress sensitivity and, based on fractured sandstone reservoir parameters, establishes a numerical model for the dynamic evolution of the production stress field in horizontal wells with matrix self-supporting fracture-supported fracture–seepage–stress coupling. The influence of various factors on the production stress field is analyzed. The results show that under constant pressure production, for low-permeability reservoirs, multi-stage stress sensitivity has a relatively low impact on reservoir stress, and the amplitude of principal stress change in the entire fracture length direction is only within the range of 0.27%, with no significant change in stress distribution; The parameters of the main fracture have a significant impact on the stress field, with a variation amplitude of within 2.85%. The ability of stress to diffuse from the fracture tip to the surrounding areas is stronger, and the stress concentration area spreads from an elliptical distribution to a semi-circular distribution. The random natural fracture parameters have a significant impact on pore pressure. As the density and angle of the fractures increase, the pore pressure changes within the range of 3.32%, and the diffusion area of pore pressure significantly increases, making it easy to communicate with the reservoir on both sides of the fractures.

Retrieval of Nighttime Distributions of Mesosphere–Lower Thermosphere Characteristics from Satellite Data

The database of SABER/TIMED satellite campaign includes the distributions of nighttime O, H and some other characteristics of mesosphere – lower thermosphere region which are retrieved from the measurements of OH* volume emission rate (near 2 μm), temperature and ozone. In the core of the retrieval procedure lies the assumption about photochemical equilibrium of nighttime ozone and airglow model that considers two excited states of OH (levels ν = 9, 8). In this work, a modified OH* model (with the rate constants updated according to contemporary publications) is used to retrieve O, H, OH, HO2 and the chemical heating rate at 80–100 km altitudes from to SABER/TIMED measurements in 2002–2021. It was found that the use of new parameters in the retrieval procedure leads to significant (up to 2 times or more) changes in the resulting spatial distributions of O, H and chemical heating rate, while the corresponding changes in OH and HO2 distributions are minor.

Integrated analysis of remote sensing with meteorological and health data for allergic rhinitis forecasting in Tianjin.

Long time series of vegetation monitoring can be carried out by remote sensing data, the level of urban greening is objectively described, and the spatial characteristics of plant pollen are indirectly understood. Pollen is the main allergen in patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis. Meteorological factors affect the release and diffusion of pollen. Therefore, studying of the complex relationship between meteorological factors and allergic rhinitis is essential for effective prevention and treatment of the disease. In this study, we leverage remote sensing data for a comprehensive decade-long analysis of urban greening in Tianjin, which exhibits an annual increase in vegetative cover of 0.51 per annum, focusing on its impact on allergic rhinitis through changes in pollen distribution. Utilizing high-resolution imagery, we quantify changes in urban Fractional Vegetation Coverage (FVC) and its correlation with pollen types and allergic rhinitis cases. Our analysis reveals a significant correlation between FVC trends and pollen concentrations, with a surprising value of 0.71, highlighting the influence of urban greenery on allergenic pollen levels. We establish a robust connection between the seasonal patterns of pollen outbreaks and allergic rhinitis consultations, with a noticeable increase in consultations during high pollen seasons. our findings indicate a higher allergenic potential of herbaceous compared to woody vegetation. This nuanced understanding underscores the importance of pollen sensitivity, alongside concentration, in driving allergic rhinitis incidents. Utilizing a Generalized Linear Model, significant features influencing the number of visits for allergic rhinitis (P < 0.05) were identified. Both GLM and LSTM models were employed to forecast the visitation volumes for rhinitis during the spring and summer-autumn of 2022. Upon validation, it was found that the R² values between the simulated and actual values for both GLM and LSTM models surpassed the 95% confidence threshold. Moreover, the R² values for the summer-autumn seasons (GLM: 0.56, LSTM: 0.72) were higher than those for spring (GLM: 0.22, LSTM: 0.47). Comparing the errors between the simulated and actual values of GLM and LSTM models, LSTM exhibited higher simulation precision in both spring and summer-autumn seasons, demonstrating superior simulation performance. Overall, our study pioneers the integration of remote sensing with meteorological and health data for allergic rhinitis forecasting. This integrative approach provides valuable insights for public health planning, particularly in urban settings, and lays the groundwork for advanced, location-specific allergenic pollen forecasting and mitigation strategies.

Scale dependence and mechanisms of grazing‐induced biodiversity changes depend on herbivore type in semiarid grasslands

Abstract Grasslands support a variety of herbivores that profoundly impact biodiversity and ecosystem functioning at local and regional scales. Understanding how different herbivores influence plant diversity across multiple scales is crucial for effective biodiversity conservation. However, most studies have focussed on the effects of grazing intensity on plant diversity, neglecting the impacts and associated mechanisms of different herbivores across scales. Based on a 7‐year grazing experiment with 16 plots in Inner Mongolia's typical steppe, we compared the scale‐dependent effects of different herbivores (cattle, sheep and goats) on plant diversity at moderate grazing intensity. We used the species–area relationship (SAR) and linear mixed models to analyse the changes in species richness across multiple scales (1, 16, 32, 64, 128, 256, 512 and 1024 m2). To understand SAR slope changes, we examined four potential mechanisms: overall species richness, total number of individuals, species abundance distribution and species aggregation. We found that grazing had scale effects on plant diversity, as indicated by a significant decrease in the SAR slope. This decrease in slope suggests that the negative impacts of grazing were more pronounced at larger scales. Additionally, the scale effects of different herbivores on plant diversity varied. Cattle had stronger positive impacts on diversity than sheep and goats at both small (1 m2) and large (1024 m2) scales. Conversely, sheep and goats had stronger negative effects on diversity than did the control at the large scale (1024 m2). The decrease in the SAR slope was mainly caused by changes in overall species richness and species abundance distribution. This was primarily because cattle had a stronger impact on dominant species, whereas sheep and goats had a stronger impact on rare species. Synthesis: Our results demonstrate that even at the same intensity, the grazing effects on species diversity vary with the study scale, herbivore type and their interaction. This finding has important implications for the conservation of grassland biodiversity given that grazing typically occurs at larger scales than in studies with quadrats and involves various herbivores with distinct effects on plant diversity.

ПРИНЦИПОВ ТЕРРИТОРИАЛЬНОГО РАСПРЕДЕЛЕНИЯ ТНК ПОСРЕДСТВОМ АНАЛИЗА ЭКОНОМИЧЕСКИХ ПОКАЗАТЕЛЕЙ ГЛОБАЛЬНОМ УРОВНЕ

This article aims to identify the main regional distribution trends and changes in the global TNCs 'activity structures. A systematic approach and comparative analysis are used to conduct the research. The addition of additional tools are mathematical statistical, graphical, and cartographic methods. Based on the Fortune Global 500 list for the years 2019 to 2023, this study is based. In the course of writing the article, it was discovered that the main factors that TNCs have today are related to, among others, their turnover and popularity as well as their geographic location, particularly in the "second" and "third" world countries. It is worth noting that Chinese corporations also showed active activity and took leading positions in the TNC ratings. This fact confirms that the total number of Chinese TNCs is larger than US TNCs. It is worth taking into account that TNCs in China and the USA make up more than half of all TNCs according to this list. Digital technologies are the main stimulus for the development of the sectoral economy. The impact of the coronavirus on the activities of TNCs was examined. It has been established that there has been a significant redistribution of positions in the ranking of the world's largest TNCs. A reduction in sales volumes of TNCs has been recorded throughout the world, this was especially reflected in the heavy industry.

The role of plume-lithosphere interaction in Hawaii-Emperor chain formation

Paleolatitudes of volcanic rocks reveal that prominent changes in volcanic trend of the Hawaii-Emperor hotspot chain represent meridional migration of the magma source. However, models assuming latitudinal plume migration fail to explain the observed age distribution, rock composition, and erratic paleolatitude changes of the oldest Emperor seamounts. Here we use data-assimilation models to better reproduce the Hawaii-Emperor hotspot track by systematically considering plate reconstruction, plume-lithosphere interaction, and simplified melt generation and migration. Our results show that plate drag and plume-ridge interaction are both important in explaining the observed seamount ages. These shallow dynamic processes could account for 50% of the observed paleolatitude’s secular reduction and erratic variations over time, where the necessary southward migration of the Hawaiian plume root is significantly less than previously thought. We conclude that plume-lithosphere interaction represents a common mechanism in affecting hotspot track, and has important implications in understanding mantle dynamics and plate reference frames.

The latest shallow-sea isocrinids from the Miocene of Paratethys and implications to the Mesozoic marine revolution

The predation-driven Mesozoic marine revolution (MMR) is believed to have induced a dramatic change in the bathymetric distribution of many shallow marine invertebrates since the late Mesozoic. For instance, stalked crinoids – isocrinids (Isocrinida) have undergone a striking decline in shallow-sea environments and today they are restricted to deep-sea settings (below 100 m depth). However, the timing and synchronicity of this shift are a matter of debate. A delayed onset of MMR and/or shifts to a retrograde, low-predation community structure during the Paleogene in the Southern Ocean were invoked. In particular, recent data from the Southern Hemisphere suggest that the environmental restriction of isocrinids to the deep-sea settings may have occurred at the end of the Eocene around Antarctica and Australia, and later in the early Miocene in New Zealand. Here, we report the anomalous occurrence of the isocrinids in shallow nearshore marine facies from the middle Miocene of Poland (Northern Hemisphere, Central Paratethys). Thus, globally, this is the youngest record of shallow-sea stalked crinoids. This finding suggests that some relict stalked crinoids may have been able to live in the shallow-water environments by the middle Miocene, and further confirms that the depth restriction of isocrinids to offshore environments was not synchronous on a global scale.

Pressure-Induced Changes in the Phase Distribution and Carrier Dynamics of Quasi-Two-Dimensional Ruddlesden-Popper Perovskites.

Quasi-two-dimensional (quasi-2D) perovskites hold significant potential for diverse design strategies due to their tunable structures, exceptional optical properties, and environmental stability. Due to the complexity of the structure and carrier dynamics, characterization methods such as photoluminescence and absorption spectroscopy can observe but cannot precisely distinguish or identify the phase distribution within quasi-2D perovskite films or correlate phases with carrier dynamics. In this study, we used pressure to modulate the intralayer and interlayer structures of (PEA)2Csn-1PbnBr3n+1 quasi-2D perovskite films, investigating charge carrier dynamics. Steady-state spectroscopy revealed phase transitions at 1.62, 3, and 8 GPa, with free excitons transforming into self-trapped excitons after 8 GPa. Transient absorption spectroscopy elucidated the structural evolution, energy transfer, and pressure-induced transition mechanisms. The results demonstrate that combining pressure and spectroscopy enables the precise identification of phase distribution and pressure response ranges and reveals photophysical mechanisms, providing new insights for optimizing optoelectronic materials.

Development in the Study of Natural Killer Cells for Malignant Peritoneal Mesothelioma Treatment.

Malignant peritoneal mesothelioma (MPeM) is a rare primary malignant tumor originating from peritoneal mesothelial cells. Insufficient specificity of the symptoms and their frequent reappearance following surgery make it challenging to diagnose, creating a need for more efficient treatment options. Natural killer cells (NK cells) are part of the innate immune system and are classified as lymphoid cells. Under the regulation of activating and inhibiting receptors, NK cells secrete various cytokines to exert cytotoxic effects and participate in antiforeign body, antiviral, and antitumor activities. This review provides a comprehensive summary of the specific alterations observed in NK cells following MPeM treatment, including changes in cell number, subpopulation distribution, active receptors, and cytotoxicity. In addition, we summarize the impact of various therapeutic interventions, such as chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and targeted therapy, on NK cell function post-MPeM treatment.

Seasonal Changes in Match Demands and Workload Distribution in Collegiate Soccer Across Two Seasons.

Floersch, S, Vidden, C, Askow, AT, Jones, MT, Fields, JB, and Jagim, AR. Seasonal changes in match demands and workload distribution in collegiate soccer across two seasons. J Strength Cond Res 38(8): 1440-1446, 2024-The purpose of this study was to examine seasonal changes in match demands in a collegiate women's soccer team. Forty-eight NCAA Division III women soccer athletes (age: 19.5 ± 1.2 years; height: 1.67 ± 0.05 m; body mass: 64.8 ± 7.4 kg; fat-free mass: 50.0 ± 4.5 kg; body fat %: 22.6 ± 6.0) were equipped with wearable global positioning systems with inertial sensors and heart rate (HR) monitors during matches throughout the 2019 (n = 22) and 2021 seasons (n = 26). Players were classified by position: flank player (FP; n = 28), center midfielder (CM; n = 11), and center back fielder (CB; n = 9) and as starters (S, n = 17) or reserves (R, n = 31). Variables included HR, training load, total distance, high-speed distance, distance per minute, and weighted distance. Differences in match and practice session demands were analyzed using linear mixed-effects models with season (2 levels; 2019 and 2021) as a fixed factor, with alpha set to p = 0.05. Data across all matches and training sessions were collapsed and presented as mean ± SD for descriptive purposes and then grouped by session type (i.e., match or training) and position. Athletes traveled more distance at high speeds during match play in the 2021 season compared with 2019 (mean difference, 95% confidence intervals [CI]) (200, 95% CI: 104, 304 km; p < 0.05) but had a lower training load in 2021 compared with 2019 (-50, 95% CI: -63, -36; p < 0.05) during match play. For training sessions, mean HR (4, 95% CI: 2, 5 bpm), total distance (0.5, 95% CI: 0.4, 0.7), distance per minute (5.6, 95% CI: 4.5, 6.7 m·min-1), high-speed distance (43, 95% CI: 43, 18, 67 m), high accelerations (8.6, 95% CI: 5.4, 11.8 n), and high accelerations per minute (0.1, 95% CI: 0.1, 0.1 n·min-1) were all higher in 2021 compared with 2019 (p < 0.05). As a team, several differences in measures of external workload were found between seasons in both session types (training and matches). Variations in positional demands of match play appear to fluctuate by year.

Multi-layer statistical analysis and surrogate model based fatigue crack growth reliability assessment of lifting lug structure under random load history

The reliability of fatigue crack growth (FCG) in lifting lug structures is a critical component of overall aircraft operational reliability. Assessing the FCG reliability of these structures poses a classic time-dependent challenge, necessitating the consideration of dynamic changes in load distribution, strength distribution, and failure correlations. To address these complexities, a novel FCG reliability assessment method for lifting lug structures has been developed, drawing upon multi-layer statistical analysis theory, artificial neural networks (ANN), and the concept of the minimum order statistic distribution of equivalent strength (Sequ). The introduced variable Sequ enables a direct comparison with applied loads to ascertain structural integrity. Findings suggest that the rate of FCG reliability change is governed by the load and Sequ distributions at any given moment. The predicted Sequ distribution from the new method closely aligns with experimental data, and it offers a more thorough characterization of random load histories. The reliability assessment outcomes of the new method are deemed more rational compared to those of traditional approaches.

Effects of eczema calming lotion on the stratum corneum in atopic dermatitis: Corneodesmosin and intercellular lipid lamellae.

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is characterized by compositional and structural changes to the skin at lesional sites. Alteration to the levels and organization of both protein and lipid components are associated with disease status and lead to impaired barrier and hydration. Corneodesmosin (CDSN) and the arrangement and length of the intercellular lipid lamellae (ICLL) are altered in disrupted skin states. The aim of this research was to profile the distribution of CDSN and the ICLL in the stratum corneum (SC) at lesional and non-lesional sites in AD-prone skin and to investigate the impact of an eczema calming lotion containing petroleum jelly, fatty acids, and colloidal oatmeal. An IRB-approved study was conducted with participants with active AD. From a small subset of participants, tape strips were collected from lesional and non-lesional sites on the arm, prior to and after twice daily application, over 4 weeks of an eczema calming lotion containing petroleum jelly, fatty acids, and colloidal oatmeal. Fluorescent antibody staining was used to investigate the distribution of CDSN. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) was used to characterize the ICLL. The distribution/coverage of CDSN was similar between lesional and non-lesional sites at baseline; application of the lotion resulted in a more defined honeycomb/peripheral distribution. Normalized ICLL (nICLL) was lower in baseline samples from lesional sites relative to non-lesional sites. Application of the lotion increased this parameter by the end of the study at all sites. The eczema calming lotion containing petroleum jelly, fatty acids and colloidal oatmeal provided changes in corneodesmosomal proteins distribution and ICLL, consistent with improvements in corneocyte maturation and improved barrier function in the skin of individuals with atopic dermatitis.

The cry of Landless Smallholder Women Farmers and Agro-Processors in Northern Ghana- Evidence from West Mamprusi Municipality

Women’s access to critical resources such as land is one of the most topical issues amongst development practitioners, gender advocates, and policymakers alike. Land is one of the bases of wealth, power, and authority in most developing countries. As such, no meaningful development takes place without land resources, yet gender inequalities concerning land allocation and distribution exist in most Sub-Saharan African countries, especially northern Ghana where the majority of the affected are women. This paper examined the effect of the customary land tenure system on landless women smallholder farmers and Agro-processors in West Mamprusi Municipality. Primary data from individuals and household heads, chiefs, and Tingban-dima (landowners), were gathered using semi-structured interviews, focus group discussions, and in-depth interviews. The secondary was also extensively reviewed as a complement to the primary data in the area of study. The study revealed significant gender disparities between men and women relative to land allocation and land access. Women's access to land was abysmal compared to that of men. The situation was also found to be aggravated by the dominant patriarchal relations which favor men relative to property ownership. only a handful of women had owned and had access to some lands but in most cases, such lands were reported to be poorer in quality, and lack proximity relative to complementary resources such as water. additionally, some lands in the hands of women came in with hefty royalties, thereby exacerbating their plight. The productive capacity of women in food production, agro-processing, vegetable production, and animal husbandry was found to be impeded by the land tenure system which limits their livelihood opportunities thereby widening the poverty gap between women and men. Nonetheless, women's access to land has seen a bit of improvement over the years, considering the recognition of women’s contribution to household income and the nutritive diet of children, but Indigenous traditional inheritance structures still limit the potential of women in this direction. The need to therefore advocate for a change in traditional land ownership and distribution by emphasizing on women’s rights and contribution to development. The constitution of Ghana allows for equal access to land irrespective of gender; this must therefore be advocated. This will address the gender gap in land and water resources to pave the way for women in agriculture, which will improve rural livelihoods, especially women of reproductive age.

Mitochondrial plasticity and synaptic plasticity crosstalk; in health and Alzheimer's disease.

Synaptic plasticity is believed to underlie the cellular and molecular basis of memory formation. Mitochondria are one of the main organelles involved in metabolism and energy maintenance as plastic organelles that change morphologically and functionally in response to cellular needs and regulate synaptic function and plasticity through multiple mechanisms, including ATP generation, calcium homeostasis, and biogenesis. An increased neuronal activity enhances synaptic efficiency, during which mitochondria's spatial distribution and morphology change significantly. These organelles build up in the pre-and postsynaptic zones to produce ATP, which is necessary for several synaptic processes like neurotransmitter release and recycling. Mitochondria also regulate calcium homeostasis by buffering intracellular calcium, which ensures proper synaptic activity. Furthermore, mitochondria in the presynaptic terminal have distinct morphological properties compared to dendritic or postsynaptic mitochondria. This specialization enables precise control of synaptic activity and plasticity. Mitochondrial dysfunction has been linked to synaptic failure in many neurodegenerative disorders, like Alzheimer's disease (AD). In AD, malfunctioning mitochondria cause delays in synaptic vesicle release and recycling, ionic gradient imbalances, and mostly synaptic failure. This review emphasizes mitochondrial plasticity's contribution to synaptic function. It also explores the profound effect of mitochondrial malfunction on neurodegenerative disorders, focusing on AD, and provides an overview of how they sustain cellular health under normal conditions and how their malfunction contributes to neurodegenerative diseases, highlighting their potential as a therapeutic target for such conditions.

Mapping the Distribution of Curculio davidi Fairmaire 1878 under Climate Change via Geographical Data and the MaxEnt Model (CMIP6)

Curculio davidi is a major pest in chestnut-producing regions in China, and there have been many studies on its occurrence, biological characteristics, and management strategies. However, few of them have focused on the distribution changes of the pest under climate change. In this study, the MaxEnt model (version 3.3.4) and ArcGIS software (version 10.8) were first employed to map the current and future (2050 s and 2080 s) suitable habitat distribution of the weevil under climate change (CMIP 6: SSP1-2.6, SSP2-4.5, and SSP5-8.5). The results indicate that the highly suitable areas for C. davidi are mainly concentrated in Hubei, Henan, Anhui, Jiangxi, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, the coastal areas of Shandong, and eastern Guizhou, northwestern Hunan, and northeastern Sichuan provinces in China. Through the Jackknife test of 19 climate factors, six climate factors affecting the distribution of C. davidi were identified, with precipitation from July (Prec7), precipitation of warmest quarter (Bio18), and temperature seasonality (standard deviation × 100) (Bio4) contributing a combined percentage of 86.3%. Under three different climate scenarios (CMIP 6: SSP1-2.6, SSP2-4.5, and SSP5-8.5), the area of moderately suitable regions is projected to increase by 22.12–27.33% in the 2050 s and by 17.80–38.22% in the 2080 s compared to the current distribution, while the area of highly suitable regions shows a shrinking trend. This study provides data support for the management strategies of C. davidi and offers new insights into the dynamic changes of similar forestry pests.

Examining the adaptive elastic anisotropy of granular materials

Changes of granular material anisotropy with stress are a function of numerous microscale attributes, such as contact network, particle size uniformity and shape. Such influences are often represented with fabric variables. Although multiple choices for fabric exist, the question of which variable best explains why and how granular materials adapt to stress is still open. In this study, the effectiveness of different fabric variables in tracking stress-induced anisotropy is compared. The analysis is restricted to a simple, yet fundamental, range of behavioir: elastic deformation. Both particle-scale simulations and continuum analyses are deployed. Analyses based on the discrete-element method (DEM) reveal that, depending on the contact behaviour, anisotropy may emerge even if the topology of the grain contact network is unchanged. The inspection of these results through a continuum-scale hyperelastic constitutive law further reveals that the computed trends cannot be captured without an evolving fabric variable. A comparison between such fabric and multiple microstructural indicators extracted from DEM simulations suggests that elastic stress-induced anisotropy is primarily a manifestation of changes in the anisotropic particle contact area distribution in response to the current magnitude and orientation of force chains. These results not only offer opportunities to enhance current continuum elastic models for granular materials, but can also be used to design testing strategies quantifying changes in fabric anisotropy through multi-scale measurements.