Community Controls Research Articles

Management Strategies for Ulex europaeus L. Control in a Native Plant Community in Tenerife, Canary Islands

Invasive plant species have been recognized as adversely affecting native ecosystems. Some of these plant species become problematic in disturbed environments such as urbanized, agricultural, and abandoned developed or farmed land. In some cases, they can dominate the invaded ground, preventing a transition back to the native plant community. In Tenerife (Canary Islands), the invasive plant species Ulex europaeus L. has established dense infestations in abandoned agricultural lands. Removing such invasive species in Tenerife through ecological restoration is crucial for restoring ecosystem functionality and promoting biodiversity. This study evaluates various management methods for U. europaeus in abandoned fields, assessing their impact on species richness, diversity, composition, and regeneration. The findings can inform management strategies to combat this invasive species, contributing to biodiversity conservation and ecosystem resilience. The study was conducted in two highly invaded areas, evaluating chemical (C), mechanical (M), mechanical and chemical (MC), and mechanical, chemical, and plantation treatments (MCP), along with a control, to analyze changes in species richness, diversity, and plant community. Results indicate that U. europaeus remains capable of reoccupying treated areas. The different treatments led to differences in species richness and composition. The MCP treatment yielded the best results if the planted native species grew faster than Ulex europaeus, preventing its establishment due to its shade-intolerant nature. However, continual control is required to eliminate U. europaeus regeneration from seeds that can persist for at least 30 years.

Abstract B130: Partnership in persistent poverty neighborhoods: The Acres Homes Cancer Prevention Collaboration

Abstract Introduction: Rising obesity rates significantly contribute to increases in many types of cancer. The link between obesity, socioeconomic status, and cancer risk is evident, particularly in persistent poverty areas. The Acres Homes Cancer Prevention Collaboration (Acres Homes CPC), part of the Persistent Poverty Initiative (PPI) of the National Cancer Institute, is a dynamic partnership led by the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. This community-academic partnership, centered on the Acres Homes neighborhood in Houston, TX, that is impacted by persistent poverty, utilizes community-engaged strategies and transdisciplinary research to mitigate obesity-related cancer risks. Methods: Through multiple community partnerships, the CPC aims to alleviate persistent poverty effects, support early-career researchers, and test nutrition and physical activity interventions for reducing obesity-related cancer risk. Results: The Acres Homes CPC funds two research projects: a trial of a physical activity program for cancer survivors and a cluster-randomized trial of food distribution and nutrition education for elementary school children and their parents. We have funded seven pilot studies on topics such as food security, culinary medicine, physical activity and mild cognitive impairment, and the physical and safety environment of neighborhoods. Three community advisors guide and support all activities, and information on the initiative is provided monthly to a community steering committee. The Acres Homes CPC also supports pre- and postdoctoral fellows interested in research promoting cancer prevention and control in persistent poverty communities. Conclusions: This initiative aims to reduce cancer risk and improve cancer outcomes in persistent poverty communities by bridging the gap between research and practical implementation through community-based participatory research and partnership with the community to address obesity. Citation Format: Karen Basen-Engquist, Ruth Rechis, Michael Mackert, Brad Love, Shreela Sharma, Sanjay Shete, Qian Lu, Shine Chang, Margaret Raber, Miranda Baum, Crystal Roberson, Lorna McNeill. Partnership in persistent poverty neighborhoods: The Acres Homes Cancer Prevention Collaboration [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 17th AACR Conference on the Science of Cancer Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved; 2024 Sep 21-24; Los Angeles, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2024;33(9 Suppl):Abstract nr B130.

Low Sun Exposure Is Associated with Both Progressive-Onset and Relapse-Onset Multiple Sclerosis Risk: A Case-Control Study

Background: Sun exposure has consistently been associated with multiple sclerosis (MS) onset, but case samples are predominantly relapse-onset MS (ROMS), and risk estimates have rarely been reported separately for ROMS and progressive-onset MS (POMS). We aimed to determine whether sun exposure prior to disease onset was associated with POMS and whether the effect differed between POMS and ROMS. Methods: This nationwide case-control study included 153 POMS cases, 204 incident ROMS cases, and 558 community controls with data from two separate datasets: the PPMS Study (2015–2021) and the Ausimmune Study (2003–2006). Information on time spent in the sun before the first MS symptom, skin phenotype, and sun protection behavior was collected. Satellite data on ambient ultraviolet radiation (UVR) were used to calculate cumulative UVR dose. Unconditional logistic regression was used with adjustment for covariates. Results: There were consistent dose-response associations, with higher levels of UVR exposure associated with a reduced risk of POMS, both for leisure-time and occupational UVR from age 6 to symptom onset. Associations were overall stronger for POMS than ROMS. For example, cumulative leisure-time UVR dose (per 100 kJ/m2 increment) was associated with POMS (aOR 0.93, 95% CI: 0.91–0.95) and the association was slightly weaker for ROMS (aOR 0.96, 95% CI: 0.94–0.99) for age 6 to symptom onset (test for interaction p < 0.001). Conclusions: Low levels of sun exposure, throughout the whole lifespan, are associated with an increased risk of POMS and ROMS onset. The sun effects are usually stronger for POMS than ROMS.

Assessment of Ground Control Points Positional Shift and Management Practices: Evidences from Assosa Town, Western Ethiopia

This study assesses the positional shift of existing control points and management practices found in and around Assosa town. The static GPS measurement technique was used as an independent source and a point wise method were used to assess the positional shift and accuracy level evaluation. Due to unavailability of local CORS station, two first order GCPs were used as a reference during static GPS measurement. After measurement was conducted depending on the baseline length between control point marks, the STC desktop software and online CSRS-PPP post processing technique was used. Thus, the positional accuracy of selected GCPs of STC Post processing technique has a mean error of 0.324 m and whereas the GCPs of CSRS-PPP has a mean error of 0.571 m. Horizontal distance error obtained with the STC differential technique is ranging from 0 to 0.83 m which is inconsistent relative to the range 0.437 m to 0.815 m obtained from online CSRS-PPP solution. The positional accuracy of GCPs was also assessed using horizontal distance error of both processed techniques. The positional accuracy of GCPs at 95% confidence level is between -0.117 m and 0.765 m with STC and between 0.395 m and 0.747 m in online CSRS-PPP solution. Based on the result, the accuracy level of existing GCPs found in Assosa town, does not meet the FGDC accuracy. This was mainly associated with perception of communities on ground control point management activities. The study revealed almost low communities practice and control point management responsiveness. Finally, study suggested that there should be participatory guidance to establish and manage the ground control points.

Self-reported immune status and COVID-19 associated subjective cognitive functioning in post-COVID-19 syndrome: Examination of an Irish cohort.

Cognitive changes are very frequently reported by people with post-COVID-19 syndrome (PCS), but there is limited understanding of the underpinning mechanisms leading to these difficulties. It is possible that cognitive difficulties are related to immune status and/or low mood. The aim of the present study was to examine the relationship between immune status and cognitive functioning in PCS, while considering whether depression symptoms also influence this association. Participants were recruited in an online study of cognitive and psychological consequences of PCS, involving individuals attending a post-COVID clinic in an acute general hospital in Ireland, and a comparison sample of age- and sex-matched community controls who had also been infected with COVID-19 but had not experienced PCS. Participants with PCS (n=71) and community controls (n=50) completed the immune status questionnaire, Cognitive Failures Questionnaire (CFQ), Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), and the Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy-Fatigue Scale (FACIT-F). Significant differences were observed between groups in terms of perceived immune status, perceived cognitive function, depression scores, and fatigue, with the "PCS" group reporting lower immune status, more cognitive difficulties, and higher levels of depression and fatigue. Regression analysis in the PCS group indicated that immune status and depression significantly contributed to variance in subjective cognitive functioning, with immune status remaining a significant predictor of cognitive functioning scores even when accounting for depression, fatigue, and other covariates related to PCS, such as Body Mass Index(BMI). Our findings suggest that subjective cognitive functioning is influenced by self-reported immune status in PCS, emphasising the importance of immune status, cognitive, and mood screening as part of routine clinical care in PCS.

Abstract P113: Hypertension Prevalence, Awareness, Treatment, and Control in Community-Dwelling Adults in Low-Resource Areas of Chicago, Illinois

Background: Hypertension (HTN) is an established risk factor for cardiovascular disease that disproportionately affects adults in low-resource communities. We examined hypertension prevalence, awareness, treatment, and control—the HTN control cascade—in low-resource neighborhoods in Chicago, Illinois. Methods: Using data from Keep Your Heart Healthy, a Northwestern Feinberg School of Medicine student-led community health program, we evaluated a convenience sample of adults who completed three blood pressure (BP) measurements at a community screening event between 2013 and 2019. Among adults with HTN (average systolic BP ≥140 mmHg, average diastolic BP ≥90 mmHg, or self-reported BP medication use), HTN awareness (self-reported history of HTN), HTN treatment (self-reported treatment among those who were aware), and HTN control (systolic BP &lt;140 mmHg and diastolic BP &lt;90 mmHg, among those who were aware and treated) rates were calculated. Results: Among 11,167 adults (mean age 50.9±14.8 years; 58.6% female; 63.9% Hispanic/Latino, 28.0% Black), HTN was prevalent in 45.3%. Of participants with HTN, 66.7% were aware of the diagnosis. Of those who were aware, 65.3% reported taking BP medication, of whom 48.3% achieved BP control. Overall, 21.0% of participants with HTN were aware, treated, and controlled (Figure). Additionally, 37.6% of all participants met criteria for pre-HTN (120-139 or 80-89 mmHg). Conclusions: In low-resource communities of Chicago, only 21.0% of participants with HTN were aware, treated, and controlled. Less than half of patients on treatment for HTN were controlled, revealing significant opportunity to improve HTN control in low-resource communities.

Cardiac Function and Functional Capacity in Patients With Long COVID: A Comparison to Propensity-Matched Community Controls

Cardiac impairment has been associated with acute COVID-19 since the earliest reports of the pandemic. However, its role in postacute sequelae of COVID-19 ("long COVID") is undefined, and many existing observations about cardiovascular involvement in postacute sequelae of COVID-19 are uncontrolled. To compare the prevalence of cardiac dysfunction in patients with long COVID and noninfected controls from the same community and explore their association with functional capacity. Echocardiography was used to assess cardiac structure and function, including the measurement of global longitudinal strain (GLS), in 190 participants with long COVID. All underwent assessment of functional impairment by subjective (Duke Activity Status Index) and objective tests (6-minute walk test). The 190 participants from the long COVID group were matched with those from 979 patients who underwent the same tests in the pre-COVID-19 era, using a propensity score. The 190 patients with long COVID had similar age and risk factor profiles to those of their matched controls. Left ventricular dimensions and geometry, but not diastolic parameters, were significantly altered in the long COVID group. The long COVID group had subclinical systolic dysfunction (GLS 18.5%±2.6% vs 19.3%±2.7%, P=.005), and more long COVID patients had abnormal (<16%) GLS (13% vs 8%, P=.035). The association of long COVID with abnormal GLS (odds ratio, 1.49 [1.04, 2.45]) was independent of-and had a similar or greater effect size than-age and risk factors. There was no interaction of long COVID with the association of risk factors with GLS. As expected, the long COVID group had significant subjective (<85% predicted METS; 72% vs 5%, P<.001) and objective functional impairment (29% vs 24%, P=.026), but GLS was only weakly associated with both subjective (r=0.30, P=.005) and objective (r=0.21, P=.05) functional impairment. The presence of long COVID was independently associated with subjective (odds ratio=159.7 [95% CI, 61.6-414.2]) and objective functional impairment (odds ratio=2.8 [95% CI, 1.5-5.2]). Impaired GLS and left ventricular dimensions are the echocardiographic features that are overrepresented in long COVID, and this association is similar to and independent of other risk factors. Impaired GLS is weakly associated with functional impairment.

Organochlorine pesticides and their markers of exposure in serum and urine of children from a nodding syndrome hotspot in northern Uganda, east Africa

Nodding syndrome (NS) is a neurologic disorder of unknown etiology characterized by vertical head nodding that has affected children aged 5–18 years in East Africa. Previous studies have examined relationships with biological agents (e.g., nematodes, measles, and fungi), but there is limited data on the possible contributions of neurotoxic environmental chemicals frequently used as pesticides/insecticides to the development and progression of this disorder. We examined the levels of persistent organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) in children (5–18 years old) from Kitgum District, Northern Uganda. These children previously lived in internally displaced people's (IDP) camps, where they were exposed to various health risks, including contaminated food and water. Exposure to OCPs through contaminated food and water is postulated here as a potential contributor to NS etiology. We analyzed serum (n = 75) and urine (n = 150) samples from children diagnosed with NS, and from seizure-free household controls (HC), and community controls (CC). Samples were extracted using solid-phase extraction (SPE) and extracts were analyzed for OCPs using gas chromatography with a triple quadrupole mass spectrometry (GC-MS/MS). Mean levels of total (∑) ∑OCPs in serum samples from NS, HC and CC subjects were 23.3 ± 2.82, 21.1 ± 3.40 and 20.9 ± 4.24 ng/mL, respectively, while in urine samples were 1.86 ± 1.03, 2.83 ± 1.42, and 2.14 ± 0.94 ng/mL, respectively. Correlation and linear regression analysis indicated that potential markers for ∑hexachlorocyclohexanes (HCHs), ∑chlordane compounds (CHLs), ∑endosulfan and ∑dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethanes (DDTs) were γ-HCH, heptachlor-exo-epoxide, endosulfan-α and p,pʹ-DDD in NS cases while in controls were α –HCH, heptachlor, endosulfan-α and p,pʹ-DDE, respectively. Since, in some instances, higher OCP levels were found in controls vs. NS cases, we conclude that exposure to organochlorine pesticides is unlikely to be associated with the etiology of NS.

Community participatory mapping of malaria mosquito breeding sites in Mozambique

BackgroundThe community involvement and the people’s knowledge allow detailed information about the distribution, location, and identification of mosquito breeding-sites. Information which is fundamental for their efficient management and elimination. Since participatory mapping has proven to be an effective tool to identify health determinants, the study aimed to apply the methodology to identify and map potential mosquito breeding-sites in Tambai, Nhamatanda, Mozambique.MethodsA study was conducted using an open-question guide. Discussions were held with 94 participants within ten focus groups, selected in collaboration with local community leaders. A thematic content analysis was performed. Descriptive statistics were used to characterize sociodemographic data. Geographic Positioning System (GPS) was used to compare and map potential breeding-sites. Children under 5 years of age who tested positive for malaria, were georeferenced to the maps.ResultsParticipants were aware of causes and transmission of malaria, no major differences between groups were observed regarding knowledge and identification of principal potential breeding sites. Gender and age determined specific information, number, and diversity of identified potential breeding sites. A total of 125 potential breeding-sites (36 permanent and 89 temporary) were mapped.ConclusionsSeveral potential mosquito breeding-sites were identified, located throughout the community, often near house conglomerates and malaria cases. Community participatory mapping could be used to identify potential mosquito breeding-sites by the national malaria control programmes to establish an efficient larval surveillance system, while improving community engagement and control strategies.Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT04419766.

Community Control of Hypertension and Diabetes (CoCo-HD) program in the Indian states of Kerala and Tamil Nadu: a study protocol for a type 3 hybrid trial

IntroductionIndia grapples with a formidable health challenge, with an estimated 315 million adults afflicted with hypertension and 100 million living with diabetes mellitus. Alarming statistics reveal rates for poor treatment and control of hypertension and diabetes. In response to these pressing needs, the Community Control of Hypertension and Diabetes (CoCo-HD) program aims to implement structured lifestyle interventions at scale in the southern Indian states of Kerala and Tamil Nadu.AimsThis research is designed to evaluate the implementation outcomes of peer support programs and community mobilisation strategies in overcoming barriers and maximising enablers for effective diabetes and hypertension prevention and control. Furthermore, it will identify contextual factors that influence intervention scalability and it will also evaluate the program’s value and return on investment through economic evaluation.MethodsThe CoCo-HD program is underpinned by a longstanding collaborative effort, engaging stakeholders to co-design comprehensive solutions that will be scalable in the two states. This entails equipping community health workers with tailored training and fostering community engagement, with a primary focus on leveraging peer supportat scale in these communities. The evaluation will undertake a hybrid type III trial in, Kerala and Tamil Nadu states, guided by the Institute for Health Improvement framework. The evaluation framework is underpinned by the application of three frameworks, RE-AIM, Normalisation Process Theory, and the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research. Evaluation metrics include clinical outcomes: diabetes and hypertension control rates, as well as behavioural, physical, and biochemical measurements and treatment adherence.DiscussionThe anticipated outcomes of this study hold immense promise, offering important learnings into effective scaling up of lifestyle interventions for hypertension and diabetes control in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). By identifying effective implementation strategies and contextual determinants, this research has the potential to lead to important changes in healthcare delivery systems.ConclusionsThe project will provide valuable evidence for the scaling-up of structured lifestyle interventions within the healthcare systems of Kerala and Tamil Nadu, thus facilitating their future adaptation to diverse settings in India and other LMICs.

The mRNA content of plasma extracellular vesicles provides a window into molecular processes in the brain during cerebral malaria.

The impact of cerebral malaria on the transcriptional profiles of cerebral tissues is difficult to study using noninvasive approaches. We isolated plasma extracellular vesicles (EVs) from patients with cerebral malaria and community controls and sequenced their mRNA content. Deconvolution analysis revealed that EVs from cerebral malaria are enriched in transcripts of brain origin. We ordered the patients with cerebral malaria based on their EV-transcriptional profiles from cross-sectionally collected samples and inferred disease trajectory while using healthy community controls as a starting point. We found that neuronal transcripts in plasma EVs decreased with disease trajectory, whereas transcripts from glial, endothelial, and immune cells increased. Disease trajectory correlated positively with severity indicators like death and was associated with increased VEGFA-VEGFR and glutamatergic signaling, as well as platelet and neutrophil activation. These data suggest that brain tissue responses in cerebral malaria can be studied noninvasively using EVs circulating in peripheral blood.

Innovative Application of Intelligent Internet of Things in Smart Cities

The Internet of Things, as an important component of the new generation of information technology system, regards the Internet as the main carrier of information, enabling all ordinary physical objects that can be independently addressed to achieve interconnectivity. This is the key to promoting urban modernization and building smart cities. This paper analyzes and studies the application of Internet of Things technology in smart cities. Based on the understanding of relevant concepts, it aims to understand the relationship between IoT technologies and smart city construction, clarify the role of Internet of Things in smart city construction, and the challenges currently faced by IoT technologies in smart city application. Therefore, taking the smart community as the starting point, the application of the smart Internet of Things in the smart community is completed through eight steps: demand analysis, planning and design, sensor and device deployment, data collection, data storage, data analysis, control and scheduling, and user application development. The experiment results show that after establishing a smart community control platform based on smart IoT technologies, the failure rate of the comprehensive information sending end, receiving end, output system, and hardware system is low, the user experience satisfaction is high, and the platform performance is strong.

OSSInsight: Scalable GitHub Analysis

GitHub is a platform hosting code, enabling collaboration, and supporting version control for a global community of over 100 million developers. The need for free tools is crucial for researching open-source software. Based on our research, we found out that existing tools lack real-time GitHub data processing or have limited functionalities. This demonstration presents OSSInsight, an open source tool for researching and analyzing GitHub repositories. We first present the architecture of the tool including its access to nearly 7 billion archived &amp; real time data and how it is powered by TiDB. The demonstration shows how OSSInsight provides analysis of GitHub data along three dimensions: developers, repositories and organizations. All these analysis are based on generated SQL queries submitted to TiDB database. TiDB possesses HTAP capabilities, utilizing its row store for simple SQL queries while relying on its column store for more complex queries. Users can view and edit these SQL queries and also view their execution plan. Finally, OSSInsight provides an innovative tool based on OpenAI, that conducts data analysis using input in English text, yielding visual representations in the form of charts and graphs.

Developing a Participatory Action Research Analytic Network to Advance a More Inclusive Process to Housing Research

Community residents have repeatedly organized and identified policy solutions to address rapidly increasing housing pressures within the greater Boston area. However, resident expertise is often dismissed as anecdotal. Since 2015, The Healthy Neighborhoods Research Consortium (HNRC) has used a participatory action research (PAR) approach to articulate research questions, design mixed methods instruments, collect and analyze data, and share findings to meet community-identified research priorities. We argue in favor of research processes that enable resident experiences and expertise to be used in conjunction with quantitative data analysis, and that support real-time action to address the harms of gentrification in their communities. The goals of this brief are to describe the HNRC’s process for developing a “PAR Analytic Network” — a program focused on building community residents’ power to create new academic partnerships for the purpose of answering their broader systems-level questions. Based on our experience we offer four recommendations: 1) Apply a PAR approach to identify research question(s) of mutual interest; 2) Community control over the academic partner selection process; 3) Academic Partners: Trust the PAR process; and 4) Community Residents: Identify the Silver Linings.

Community overview on the differential prevalence of Hepatitis E in two sub-counties in Kitgum District, Uganda: a mixed study design

BackgroundAn epidemic of Hepatitis E infection occurred in Kitgum district, northern Uganda in 2009. In that epidemic, more than 10,422 people were infected, and over 166 deaths were registered. Kitgum District Health Management Information Systems (HMIS) showed that Hepatitis E cases continued to occur in Mucwini more than in Kitgum Matidi sub-county despite instituting similar epidemic control measures in the two communities. The tenacity of the virus in Mucwini sub-county had remained unclear. This study aimed to assess communities’ views and perspectives on the differential prevalence of Hepatitis E in the two sub-counties of Kitgum Matidi and Mucwini in northern Uganda.MethodsA mixed study using qualitative and quantitative methods was used. Four Focus group discussions and six key informant interviews were conducted with the village health teams, local council chairpersons, health workers, and community members. These participants were chosen purposively because of their expertise and experience in community health services. Face-to-face interview guides were administered to obtain detailed information on factors associated with the differential occurrence of Hepatitis E in the two sub-counties. This study was approved by a local IRB and the Uganda National Council of Science and Technology (UNCS&T).ResultsThe most substantial findings were the differences in prevention and control practices in the two communities. Residents of Mucwini were less compliant with infection, prevention, and control guidelines, and disagreements between local councilors and village health teams in Mucwini over allowances led to poor implementation and non-adherence to guidelines on community control of the epidemic.ConclusionA differentially higher prevalence of Hepatitis E in Mucwini than in Kitgum Matidi resulted from poor personal and community hygiene and non-adherence to behavior change communication among residents of Mucwini than their counterparts in Kitgum Matidi. The authors recommend a more proactive approach to managing an epidemic by securing the willingness of the affected community to adopt appropriate infection prevention and control guidelines. In addition, disagreements among stakeholders should be resolved quickly so that all community members adhere to control measures.

Prokaryotic and eukaryotic microbial community dynamics in biofloc systems supplemented with non-starch polysaccharides

Biofloc technology has been developed as a sustainable system in aquaculture, which uses microbial processes to remove nutrients from the water and convert them into microbial biomass. For optimal performance, the addition of carbohydrates is essential, while their type can regulate microbial activity and composition. Specifically, we hypothesize that dietary supplementation of wheat bran, containing indigestible carbohydrates such as non-starch polysaccharides, can provide complex substrates supporting diverse microbial communities within the biofloc. In this study, we investigated how higher dietary wheat bran input affected the biofloc prokaryotic and eukaryotic microbial communities in Pacific white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) culture. Two pelleted diets were made: a control diet (CONdiet) with a composition similar to a commercial shrimp diet, and a diet rich in non-starch polysaccharides (WBdiet), which was created by adding wheat bran to the control diet ingredient mix, before pelleting. These two diets were fed isonitrogenous to the shrimp for 42 days, and sampling of the biofloc was performed every three weeks. The results showed shifts in both the alpha and beta diversity in biofloc during the experiment. Diet had a significant effect on the prokaryotic community composition in the biofloc at the end of the culture period, with several genera being enriched in biofloc tanks fed the WBdiet such as Muricauda, Pirellula, and Cyanobacteriaceae. Regarding the eukaryotic communities, overall, only a few taxa were significantly affected within the WBdiet, belonging to the Trebouxiophyceae and Suillus groups. Interestingly, when feeding the WBdiet, the biofloc microbial communities exhibited predicted functionalities that were more abundant in carbohydrate metabolism, and specifically related to pentose, fructose, mannose and galactose metabolism. These results provide a basis for the control of biofloc microbial communities by using ingredients rich in plant-derived non-starch polysaccharides which shrimp cannot digest but are good energy source for the microbiota in the biofloc.

Control Methods in Hyperbolic PDEs

Control of hyperbolic partial differential equations (PDEs) is a truly interdisciplinary area of research in applied mathematics nurtured by challenging problems arising in most modern applications ranging from road traffic, gas pipeline management, blood circulation, to opinion dynamics and socio-economical models, as well as in environmental and biological issues, or more recently in the analysis of deep learning and machine learning methods. The topic has gained an increasing attraction of researchers in the last twenty years due to fundamental theoretical as well as numerical advances achieved in the field of nonlinear hyperbolic PDEs. The hyperbolic and the control of PDEs communities, while pursuing separate interests in their respective range of action with a different focus and, often, with a different array of technical tools, do share a substantial body of common knowledge and background. We think the time is right and the momentum is propitious to bring those communities together at a joint workshop, to mutually stimulate each other and inter- act with one another, for a marked advancement of this area of research on a broad spectrum of control ranging from theoretical to numerical problems and covering also the emerging challenges involving the interplay between (topics of) control and learning. In order to also attract young scientists to this striving field we focus on selected lectures, in-depth discussions, transfer of information from senior to young researchers, and vice versa, and invited plenary talks.

Polymetallic contamination drives indigenous microbial community assembly dominated by stochastic processes at Pb-Zn smelting sites

Indigenous microbial communities in smelting areas are crucial for maintaining fragile ecosystem functions. However, the community assembly process and their responses to polymetallic pollution are poorly understood, especially the taxa in each bin from the amplicons that contributed to the assembly process. Herein, microbial diversity, co-occurrence patterns, assembly process and the intrinsic mechanisms across contamination gradients at a typical PbZn smelting site were systematically unravelled by high-throughput sequencing. The results showed a consistent compositional profile among the indigenous communities across sampling sites, wherein genera KD4–96 from Chloroflexi and Sphingomonas from Proteobacteria emerged as the most abundant taxa. Network modularity of the high- and middle-contaminated communities at Pb and Zn smelting sites was >0.44, indicating that community populations were clustered into modules to resist high heavy metal stress. Stochastic processes dominated the community assembly, with the greatest contribution from drift (DR), which was significantly correlated with Pb, Zn, Cr and Cu contents. What's particular was that the DR-controlled bins were dominated by Proteobacteria (typical r-strategists), while the HoS-controlled bins were by Chloroflexi (typical K-strategists). Furthermore, the proportion of DR in the bins dominated by Sphingomonadaceae (phylum Proteobacteria) increased gradually with the increase of heavy metal contents. These discoveries provide essential insights for community control in restoring and mitigating soil degradation at PbZn smelting sites.

A blue ribbon goat: the Rockefeller Commission, public opinion, and the ford administration’s intelligence reform failure

ABSTRACT After allegations of the US intelligence community conducting illegal operations that targeted American citizens, 1975 became known as the Year of Intelligence. The subject dominated national discourse and led to competing programmes of intelligence oversight proposed by Congress and the executive branch. This article examines the Ford administration’s programme that started with the Rockefeller Commission in January 1975 and ended with the issue of Executive order 11,905 in 1976. It argues that neither were enough to stave off Congress intruding on executive control of the intelligence community, because the Ford administration inaccurately measured the public’s demands for genuine reform.

Using neurocognitive phenotypes to inform interventions for adult survivors of childhood cancer.

Neurocognitive impairments are sequelae of childhood cancer treatment, however little guidance is given to clinicians on common phenotypes of impairment or modifiable risk factors that could lead to personalized interventions in survivorship. Standardized clinical testing of neurocognitive function was conducted in 2958 (74.1%) eligible survivors, who were at least 5 years postdiagnosis and aged older than 18 years, and 477 community controls. Impairment was examined across 20 measures, and phenotypes were determined by latent class analysis. Multinomial logistic regression was used to estimate risk for phenotype, predicted by cancer diagnosis and treatment exposures, chronic health conditions, and lifestyle, adjusted for sex and age. Associations between phenotypes and social attainment were examined. Five neurocognitive phenotypes were identified in survivors (global impairment 3.7%, impaired attention 5.0%, memory impairment 7.2%, processing speed and executive function impairment 9.3%, no impairment 74.8%). Risk of global impairment was associated with severe chronic health condition burden (odds ratio [OR] = 20.17, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 11.41 to 35.63) including cerebrovascular disease (OR = 14.5, 95% CI = 5.47 to 38.44) and cerebrovascular accident (OR = 14.7, 95% CI = 7.50 to 26.40). Modifiable risk factors, such as quitting smoking, reduced risk for global impairment (OR = 0.21, 95% CI = 0.06 to 0.66). Low physical activity increased risk for global impairment (OR = 4.54, 95% CI = 2.86 to 7.21), attention impairment (OR = 2.01, 95% CI = 1.41 to 2.87), processing speed and executive function impairment (OR = 1.90, 95% CI = 1.46 to 2.48), and memory impairment (OR = 2.09, 95% CI = 1.54 to 2.82). Results support the clinical utility of neurocognitive phenotyping to develop risk profiles and personalized clinical interventions, such as preventing cerebrovascular disease in anthracycline-treated survivors by preventing hypercholesterolemia, smoking, and sedentary lifestyle, to reduce the risk for global impairment.