Indirect Evidence Research Articles

The effect of hemicelluloses on biosynthesis, structure and mechanical performance of bacterial cellulose-hemicellulose hydrogels

The primary plant cell wall (PCW) is a specialized structure composed predominantly of cellulose, hemicelluloses and pectin. While the role of cellulose and hemicelluloses in the formation of the PCW scaffold is undeniable, the mechanisms of how hemicelluloses determine the mechanical properties of PCW remain debatable. Thus, we produced bacterial cellulose–hemicellulose hydrogels as PCW analogues, incorporated with hemicelluloses. Next, we treated samples with hemicellulose degrading enzymes, and explored its structural and mechanical properties. As suggested, difference of hemicelluloses in structure and chemical composition resulted in a variety of the properties studied. By analyzing all the direct and indirect evidences we have found that glucomannan, xyloglucan and arabinoxylan increased the width of cellulose fibers both by hemicellulose surface deposition and fiber entrapment. Arabinoxylan increased stresses and moduli of the hydrogel by its reinforcing effect, while for xylan, increase in mechanical properties was determined by establishment of stiff cellulose–cellulose junctions. In contrast, increasing content of xyloglucan decreased stresses and moduli of hydrogel by its weak interactions with cellulose, while glucomannan altered cellulose network formation via surface deposition, decreasing its strength. The current results provide evidence for structure–dependent mechanisms of cellulose–hemicellulose interactions, suggesting the specific structural role of the latter.

‘I think you’d strike’: Interpreting Preston in The Strike

The literary aftermath of the Preston lock-out has been dominated by Charles Dickens’s Hard Times (1854) and Elizabeth Gaskell’s North and South (1854–1855). Far less well known is The Strike , an anonymous tale published in 1855 by the Oxford publishing firm John Henry Parker. This article explores the relationships between The Strike and the ‘industrial novel’ (particularly Hard Times and North and South ) as well as comparing their respective handling of the historical reality of the Preston lock-out. It analyses the similarities and differences in the literary handling of the lock-out across all three texts and argues that, in terms of historical verisimilitude, The Strike generally demonstrates a greater degree of historical accuracy than either of its better-known counterparts. Additionally, it argues that the tale’s interest in co-operation suggests an author with Christian Socialist affiliations and, in its closing paragraphs, offers circumstantial evidence pointing to the Rev. Charles Marriott as a potential author of The Strike .

Nutraceutical interventions for erectile dysfunction: a systematic review and network meta-analysis.

Although nutraceutical-based treatments are often offered for erectile dysfunction (ED), their efficacy remains doubtful, and the choice of one substance over the other is challenged by the dearth of head-to-head comparative studies. We aimed to compare the efficacy of available nutraceutical interventions, alone or in combination with phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors (PDE5i), in improving erectile function in men with ED through a network meta-analysis (NMA), which incorporates direct and indirect evidence into one model thus generating a hierarchy of effectiveness. PubMed, Scopus, Web of Sciences, and Cochrane Library databases were searched for randomized placebo-controlled trials (RCTs) assessing the effect of any nutraceutical regimen in improving erectile function when compared to each other, placebo, and/or PDE5i in men with ED. Data were included in a random-effects NMA, where efficacy of treatments was ranked by surface under the cumulative ranking curve (SUCRA). Two NMAs were also conducted separately for organic and non-organic ED. Reciprocal comparisons between all treatments were analyzed by league tables. The main outcome was the standardized mean difference in the score of the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF)-5 or IIEF-6. Fifteen RCTs provided information on 1000 men with ED. In the overall NMA, compared to placebo, the combination propionyl L-carnitine (PLC) + acetyl L-carnitine (ALC) + Sildenafil was associated with the highest SUCRA (97%) in improving erectile function score, followed by L-Arginine + Tadalafil (84%), Sildenafil (79%), Tadalafil (72%), and L-Arginine (52%). No other treatment regimen showed efficacy with statistical significance. In patients with organic ED, the efficacy of Sildenafil and Tadalafil was significantly improved by PLC + ALC and L-Arginine, respectively. On the contrary, in non-organic ED, nutraceuticals did not improve the therapeutic performance of daily Tadalafil. This NMA contributes valuable insights into the potential of nutraceutical interventions for ED. We employed strict inclusion criteria related to study design and diagnostic tool, ensuring the assumption of transitivity and the consistency of the analysis. Against a background of general ineffectiveness of most nutraceutical interventions, L-Arginine and the mix PLC + ALC appeared to be of some usefulness in improving erectile function, especially in combination with PDE5i in organic ED.

Indirect Evidence of the Effect of Informal Economy in the Behavior of the Foreign Currency’s Prices: A Case Study

The effect of informal economy on the behavior of exchange rate is complex and difficult to evaluate in common economic conditions. But if informal sector is sizeable and a certain foreign currency is used for transactions therein without being converted, the supply and the demand for this currency, the velocity of the money circulation, and several other variables would be impacted, implicating a measurable response in the corresponding FX rates’ behavior, while the other currencies’ prices will be less affected. Consequently, distinguishable dissimilarities regarding dynamics and statistical features are expected for the exchange rates of the currencies traded in the country. By evidencing and analyzing them, we can proceed with a backward analysis to identify the hidden relationships between informal economy and exchange rates. As a case study we analyzed the FX rates of main currencies traded in Albania, considering that specifically the Euro is used at a non-neglected volume as national currency substitute in the informal sector. Recognizing the complexity of the relationship under investigation, we have employed an interdisciplinary approach by incorporating econometrics and econophysics approaches. After examining the multifractal features of each FX series, the non-stationarity measure for distributions of the corresponding rate of returns, and the significance of self-organizing regimes on FX time series, we noticed that the price of the EU currency behaves distinguishably different. We described the specific features observed for the Euro-ALL exchange rates as an indication of their response to the informal economy and partial usage of the Euro in the role of national currency in this sector. Those findings are used also for opinionizing regarding formalization issues and scenarios of replacement of national currency by the Euro. Acknowledging that informality is undoubtedly harmful for the economy, this work is limited to providing an alternative explanation of specific FX rates comportment observed in the country, and to offer a descriptive analysis for similar systems.

Show me the evidence to guide nutrition practice: Scoping review of macronutrient dietary treatments after metabolic and bariatric surgery.

Clinical practice recommendations for macronutrient intake in Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (MBS) are insufficiently grounded in the research, possibly due to a paucity of research in key areas necessary to support macronutrient recommendations. An initial scoping review, prior to any systematic review, was determined to be vital. To identify topical areas in macronutrients and MBS with a sufficient evidence base to guide nutrition recommendations. PubMed, Cochrane, Ovid Medline, and Embase were initially searched in January 2019 (updated November 1, 2023) with terms encompassing current bariatric surgeries and macronutrients. Out of 757 records identified, 98 were included. A template was created. Five types of outcomes were identified for extraction: dietary intake, anthropometrics, adverse symptoms, health, and metabolic outcomes. All stages of screening and extraction were conducted independently by at least two authors and disagreements were resolved via team discussion. Macronutrient-related dietary treatments were classified as either innovative or standard of care. Descriptions of dietary arms were extracted in detail for a qualitatively generated typology of dietary or nutritional treatments. Heatmaps (treatments by outcomes) were produced to identify promising topics for further systematic analyses. We identified protein supplementation and "food-focused" (e.g., portion-controlled meals, particular foods in the diet, etc.) topical areas in MBS nutrition care with potentially sufficient evidence to create specific MBS Macronutrients guidelines and identified topical areas with little research. Clinical practice regarding macronutrient intake remains guided by consensus and indirect evidence. We detail ways that leadership at the profession level may remedy this.

Unravelling the enigma: Autopsy challenges in alleged snakebite deaths

Snakebites account for a substantial public health burden in India, contributing to 80 % of global snakebite fatalities. This case series explores the intricacies of two alleged neurotoxic snakebite deaths, delving into the complexities of diagnosing neurotoxic snakebite deaths in India through meticulous medico-legal autopsies. Despite initial suspicions and circumstantial evidence suggesting snakebite involvement, the autopsies revealed surprising causes of death. The article discusses challenges in accurately attributing deaths to snakebites, and the potential for false claims, and underscores the crucial role of Forensic pathologists in dispelling enigmas. Forensic pathologists are urged to maintain an unbiased approach, allowing postmortem findings to guide conclusions amidst deliberate attempts to mislead. The cases described highlight that ruling out snake bites in cases with positive history is as challenging as opining a case of neurotoxic snake bite as they are mainly the diagnosis of exclusion in autopsy.

Comparison of weight loss effects among overweight/obese adults: A network meta-analysis of mediterranean, low carbohydrate, and low-fat diets

Eating patterns significantly impact the weight loss process. This study aimed to investigate the influence of primary eating patterns on weight loss measures in overweight and obese adults using network meta-analysis. We systematically searched PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science (WOS), and Google Scholar until May 2, 2023. Our network meta-analysis followed the PRISMA extension guidelines for Comparing Mediterranean, low carbohydrate and low fat diet effects on weight loss among overweight/obese adults. We conducted a Frequentist random-effects network meta-analysis. Summary effects were presented as mean differences (MD) along with corresponding standard deviations (SD). P-scores were used for treatment ranking within the network. Initial literature searches yielded 1574 citations. Ultimately, 1004 participants from 7 RCTs (or 9 trials) met inclusion criteria. All diets resulted in weight loss. Comparatively, the low-carbohydrate diet exhibited a significant decrease in weight loss compared to the Mediterranean diet (MD=-2.70kg, 95% CI:-4.65,-0.75). Indirect evidence revealed that both the low-carbohydrate diet (MD=-6.31kg, 95% CI:-11.23,-1.39) and the low-fat diet (MD=-5.61kg, 95% CI:-10.61,-0.61) significantly reduced weight among overweight/obese adults compared to the standard hypolipemic diet. Rankings indicated the low-carbohydrate diet as the most effective dietary intervention for enhancing weight loss (P-score=0.8994) and reducing body fat (P-score=0.7060). Overall, a low-carb diet appears to be among the most effective approaches for weight loss and body fat reduction. However, it's essential to consider that its efficacy may vary based on factors such as age, gender, genetics, and lifestyle habits.

The Legal Status of Circumstantial Evidence in the Context of Criminal Cases in Indonesia

In practice, there are several instances of criminal decisions that are not in accordance with the law. In such instances, the judge interprets the law or legal findings based on circumstantial evidence. As a result, the action taken does not achieve the highest degree of justice and legal certainty in a decision. This is because the decision is not based on the minimum requirements of two pieces of evidence that must be met in terms of evidence to impose a sentence. The objective of this research was to analyze the legal status of circumstantial evidence in the context of criminal cases. Our research findings indicate that the philosophy of circumstantial evidence, as it pertains to criminal procedural law, represents a form of evidence that can be considered by judges in relation to the absence of facts that are not directly visible by eyewitnesses. This evidence is intended to provide a comprehensive depiction of the truth of an event, thereby facilitating the acceptance of a reasonable account of events. Establishing circumstantial evidence is distinct from providing instructions, however. To do so, one must obtain clues from facts presented at trial in the form of witness statements, letters and statements of the accused. The ius constituendum application of circumstantial evidence in the process of proving a criminal case is to provide the judge with the authority to utilise circumstantial evidence in the process of proving a crime as an additional legal means of evidence in sentencing. The role of indirect evidence in the imposition of criminal penalties is a doctrine that is confined to be the domain of legal experts.

Interorgan, intraorgan and interplant communication mediated by nitric oxide and related species.

Plant survival to a potential plethora of diverse environmental insults is underpinned by coordinated communication amongst organs to help shape effective responses to these environmental challenges at the whole plant level. This interorgan communication is supported by a complex signal network that regulates growth, development and environmental responses. Nitric oxide (NO) has emerged as a key signalling molecule in plants. However, its potential role in interorgan communication has only recently started to come into view. Direct and indirect evidence has emerged supporting that NO and related species (S-nitrosoglutathione, nitro-linolenic acid) are mobile interorgan signals transmitting responses to stresses such as hypoxia and heat. Beyond their role as mobile signals, NO and related species are involved in mediating xylem development, thus contributing to efficient root-shoot communication. Moreover, NO and related species are regulators in intraorgan systemic defence responses aiming an effective, coordinated defence against pathogens. Beyond its in planta signalling role, NO and related species may act as ex planta signals coordinating external leaf-to-leaf, root-to-leaf but also plant-to-plant communication. Here, we discuss these exciting developments and emphasise how their manipulation may provide novel strategies for crop improvement.

Efficacy and Safety of Bone Marrow Derived Stem Cell Therapy for Ischemic Stroke: Evidence from Network Meta-analysis.

Several types of stem cells are available for the treatment of stroke patients. However, the optimal type of stem cell remains unclear. To analyze the effects of bone marrow-derived stem cell therapy in patients with ischemic stroke by integrating all available direct and indirect evidence in network meta-analyses. We searched several databases to identify randomized clinical trials comparing clinical outcomes of bone marrow-derived stem cell therapy vs. conventional treatment in stroke patients. Pooled relative risks (RRs) and mean differences (MDs) were reported. The surface under the cumulative ranking (SUCRA) was used to rank the probabilities of each agent regarding different outcomes. Overall, 11 trials with 576 patients were eligible for analysis. Three different therapies, including mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), mononuclear stem cells (MNCs), and multipotent adult progenitor cells (MAPCs), were assessed. The direct analysis demonstrated that stem cell therapy was associated with significantly reduced all-cause mortality rates (RR 0.55, 95% CI 0.33 to 0.93; I2=0%). Network analysis demonstrated MSCs ranked first in reducing mortality (RR 0.42, 95% CrI 0.15 to 0.86) and improving modified Rankin Scale score (MD -0.59 95% CI -1.09 to -0.09), with SUCRA values 80%, and 98%, respectively. Subgroup analysis showed intravenous transplantation was superior to conventional therapy in reducing all-cause mortality (RR 0.53, 95% CrI 0.29 to 0.88). Using stem cell transplantation was associated with reduced risk of death and improved functional outcomes in patients with ischemic stroke. Additional large trials are warranted to provide more conclusive evidence.

Efficacy and safety of commonly used thromboprophylaxis agents following hip and knee arthroplasty.

We investigated the efficacy and safety profile of commonly used venous thromboembolism (VTE) prophylaxis agents following hip and knee arthroplasty. A systematic search of PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, and OrthoSearch was performed. Prophylaxis agents investigated were aspirin (< 325 mg and ≥ 325 mg daily), enoxaparin, dalteparin, fondaparinux, unfractionated heparin, warfarin, rivaroxaban, apixaban, and dabigatran. The primary efficacy outcome of interest was the risk of VTE, whereas the primary safety outcomes of interest were the risk of major bleeding events (MBE) and wound complications (WC). VTE was defined as the confirmed diagnosis of any deep vein thrombosis and/or pulmonary embolism. Network meta-analysis combining direct and indirect evidence was performed. Cluster rank analysis using the surface under cumulative ranking (SUCRA) was applied to compare each intervention group, weighing safety and efficacy outcomes. Of 86 studies eligible studies, cluster rank analysis showed that aspirin < 325 mg daily (SUCRA-VTE 89.3%; SUCRA-MBE 75.3%; SUCRA-WC 71.1%), enoxaparin (SUCRA-VTE 55.7%; SUCRA-MBE 49.8%; SUCRA-WC 45.2%), and dabigatran (SUCRA-VTE 44.9%; SUCRA-MBE 52.0%; SUCRA-WC 41.9%) have an overall satisfactory efficacy and safety profile. We recommend the use of either aspirin < 325 mg daily, enoxaparin, or dabigatran for VTE prophylaxis following hip and knee arthroplasty.

Continuity of an essential service during the COVID-19 pandemic: A systematic review and meta-analysis of vaccine perceptions and hesitancy in the emergency medical services profession

During and subsequent to a natural disaster, there is an expectation that certain elements of society will continue to operate with a degree of normalcy. For example, it is expected that emergency medical services will continue to function and remain reliable for the community served. Expectations such as these are based on the presumed reliability of government and the assumption that those responsible for the relevant infrastructure will have made plans to ensure it remains functional and taken steps to mitigate known weaknesses. The COVID-19 pandemic provides a case in point. Specifically, data captured during the pandemic are now the subject of ongoing review and analysis, and the findings from such studies are being used to inform planning and preparedness for the next public health disaster. This particular study was conducted in response to circumstantial evidence indicating that frontline workers in the healthcare profession may share some of the same ambivalence towards transmission mitigation as seen in the general population when confronted with new and emerging communicable diseases. This is a concern, as when medical personnel are either unable or unwilling to take reasonable steps to protect themselves and their patients, it undermines the readiness of the essential service. To explore this situation in greater depth, the study examines the real-time responses from a sample of frontline personnel interviewed during the pandemic. The results indicate that there are a number of opportunities to improve workforce readiness to assure reliable continuity during the next outbreak, epidemic or pandemic.

Small energy benefits of in-wake flying in long-duration migratory flights.

During long-distance migrations, some bird species make use of in-wake flying, which should allow them to profit from the upwash produced by another bird. While indirect evidence supports energy saving as the primary benefit of in-wake flying, measurements are still missing. We equipped migrating northern bald ibises (Geronticus eremita) with high-precision global navigation satellite system data loggers to track their position in the flock. We estimated birds' energy expenditure through different proxies, namely dynamic body acceleration (DBA), heart rate and effective wingbeat frequency. During active flapping flight, DBA estimates dropped off when in-wake compared with when not-in-wake. In addition, effective wingbeat frequency decreased, suggesting an increased use of intermittent gliding flight during in-wake periods. Heart rate varied greatly among individuals, with a clear decrease during gliding-corroborating its energy-saving function. Furthermore, we found consistent proof for decreased heart rate during in-wake flying, by up to 4.2%. Hence, we have shown that flying in the wake of another individual reduces birds' DBA, heart rate and effective wingbeat frequency, which could reflect reduced energy requirement.

A call to action [plans] for cyclic vomiting syndrome.

Cyclic vomiting syndrome (CVS) is a disorder of gut-brain interaction which has a wide clinical spectrum. Clinical action plans have been developed to address and to facilitate treatment in the setting of complex, chronic medical conditions. The CVS Action Plan was developed to meet the chronic and acute care needs of children and adults with CVS. While this tool has not been tested for clinical efficacy as was shown with action plans for functional constipation, anecdotal and indirect evidence supports its use. The CVS Action Plan has the potential to enhance outcomes by simplifying home management and streamlining disease recognition and acute care in the emergency department.

Skin Boats in Scandinavia? Evaluating the Maritime Technologies of the Neolithic Pitted Ware Culture

AbstractThe Early and Middle Neolithic (3500–2300 [Before Current Era] BCE) Pitted Ware Culture (PWC) was a critical component of the historical trajectory of Scandinavia’s maritime history. The hunter-gatherer societies of the PWC were highly adapted to maritime environments, and they fished, hunted, travelled, and traded across great distances over water. Exactly what boat types they used, however, is still an open question. Understanding the maritime technologies used by the PWC is a critical research area as they had an important impact on subsequent maritime adaptations in Scandinavian prehistory. Unfortunately, finding intact boats from Neolithic contexts is extremely difficult. Here, we present indirect evidence for the use of skin boats by PWC people as a first step towards building a dialog on the types of boats that would have been used during this period. We argue that multiple lines of evidence suggest that skin boats were widely used for every-day activities and long-distance voyages by PWC peoples and will discuss the implications of possible complex boat use by Neolithic peoples for our understanding of early Scandinavian maritime societies.

Evidence and Structural Insights into a Ligand-Mediated Phase Transition in the Solvated Ligand Shell of Quantum Dots.

As synthesized, nanocrystal surfaces are typically covered in coordinating organic ligands, and the degree of packing and order of these ligands are ongoing questions in the field of colloidal nanocrystals, particularly in the solution state. Recently, isothermal titration calorimetry coupled with 1H NMR has been used to probe ligand exchanges on colloidal quantum dots, revealing the importance of the composition of the ligand shell on exchange thermodynamics. Previous work has shown that the geometry and length of a ligand's aliphatic chain can influence the thermodynamics of exchange. This has been attributed to interligand interactions, and the use of a modified Ising model simulation to account for these collective effects has been critical in describing these reactions. In this report, we explore the reaction between indium phosphide quantum dots and zinc chloride on a size series of nanocrystals capped with two different lengths of aliphatic, straight-chain carboxylate ligands to investigate the effect that nanocrystal size has on these interligand interactions. We demonstrate that interligand interactions increase as the nanocrystal size increases, changing the thermodynamics of the ligand exchange reaction. Critically, we show that a self-consistent model of these ligand exchanges does not fit the data without the use of a phase transition term in the model and that the strength of this phase transition depends on the nanocrystal size. Combined with solution state X-ray diffraction, these results provide indirect evidence that ligands are ordered on nanocrystals in the solution state.

Exposure to bovine livestock and latent tuberculosis infection in children: Investigating the zoonotic tuberculosis potential in a large urban and peri-urban area of Cameroon.

Bovine tuberculosis (bTB), a neglected zoonotic disease, is endemic in cattle in many Sub-saharan African countries, yet its contribution to tuberculosis (TB) burden is understudied. Rapid urbanisation and increase in demand for animal proteins, including dairy products, increases the risk of spill over. This study compared the latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) risk in children, a proxy-measure for recent TB infection, in children living in high cattle density areas to children from the general population in Cameroon. Cross-sectional study in the Centre Region of Cameroon in 2021, recruiting 160 children aged 2-15 years, stratified by exposure to livestock, people treated for pulmonary TB (PTB) and the general community. Veinous blood was tested for LTBI using QuantiFERON-TB Gold-Plus. Prevalence were calculated and the association to exposure and other risk factors investigated using logistic regression models. The crude LTBI prevalence were 8.2% in the general population, 7.3% in those exposed to cattle and 61% in pulmonary TB household contacts. After adjusting for confounding and sampling design, exposure to cattle and exposure to pulmonary TB were associated with higher risk of LTBI than the general population (respectively odds ratio (OR): 3.56, 95%CI: 0.34 to 37.03; and OR: 10.36, 95%CI: 3.13 to 34.21). Children frequently consuming cow milk had higher risk of LTBI (OR: 3.35; 95%CI 0.18 to 60.94). Despite limited statistical power, this study suggests that children exposed to cattle in a setting endemic for bTB had higher risk of LTBI, providing indirect evidence that Mycobacterium bovis may contribute to TB burden.

New Insights into Chronic Pancreatitis: Potential Mechanisms Related to Probiotics.

Chronic pancreatitis is a progressive fibroinflammatory disorder with no currently satisfactory treatment. Emerging evidence suggests an association between gut microbial dysbiosis and chronic pancreatitis. Although direct causative evidence is lacking, it is hypothesized that the gut microbiota may play a pivotal role in modulating pancreatic function via the gut-pancreas axis. Thus, modulating the gut microbiota through the administration of probiotics or prebiotics may alleviate pancreatic disorders. In this review, we first propose the potential mechanisms by which specific probiotics or prebiotics may ameliorate chronic pancreatitis, including the alleviation of small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO), the facilitation of short-chain fatty acids' (SCFAs) production, and the activation of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptors (GLP-1Rs) in the pancreas. Since there are currently no probiotics or prebiotics used for the treatment of chronic pancreatitis, we discuss research in other disease models that have used probiotics or prebiotics to modulate pancreatic endocrine and exocrine functions and prevent pancreatic fibrosis. This provides indirect evidence for their potential application in the treatment of chronic pancreatitis. We anticipate that this research will stimulate further investigation into the gut-pancreas axis and the potential therapeutic value of probiotics and prebiotics in chronic pancreatitis.

Detection, characterization, and phylogenetic analysis of novel astroviruses from endemic Malagasy fruit bats

Bats (order: Chiroptera) are known to host a diverse range of viruses, some of which present a human public health risk. Thorough viral surveillance is therefore essential to predict and potentially mitigate zoonotic spillover. Astroviruses (family: Astroviridae) are an understudied group of viruses with a growing amount of indirect evidence for zoonotic transfer. Astroviruses have been detected in bats with significant prevalence and diversity, suggesting that bats may act as important astrovirus hosts. Most astrovirus surveillance in wild bat hosts has, to date, been restricted to single-gene PCR detection and concomitant Sanger sequencing; additionally, many bat species and many geographic regions have not yet been surveyed for astroviruses at all. Here, we use metagenomic Next Generation Sequencing (mNGS) to detect astroviruses in three species of Madagascar fruit bats, Eidolon dupreanum, Pteropus rufus, and Rousettus madagascariensis. We detect numerous partial sequences from all three species and one near-full length astrovirus sequence from Rousettus madagascariensis, which we use to characterize the evolutionary history of astroviruses both within bats and the broader mammalian clade, Mamastrovirus. Taken together, applications of mNGS implicate bats as important astrovirus hosts and demonstrate novel patterns of bat astrovirus evolutionary history, particularly in the Southwest Indian Ocean region.

Satellite-derived measures of habitat structure perform as well as locally recorded measures in predicting predation on artificial nests in central European agricultural landscapes

Ground nesting birds have declined throughout Europe, with the reduction of habitat structure in agricultural areas being a key contributing factor. Habitat structure is vital not only for providing food and suitable microclimates for these species but also limits nest predation. Field assessments of habitat structure have, historically, been the most common way of identifying areas of low nest predation. However, they are limited in their applicability over wide areas due to time, money, and logistics. Remotely sensed measures (e.g., recorded by a satellite) can address these issues. Normalised difference vegetation index (NDVI) is a measure of the ‘greenness’ of an area and correlates with habitat structure. We conducted an artificial nest experiment over three years (2019, 2020, 2023) in Baden, Austria to test the relationship of NDVI to nest predation in an agricultural landscape. Critically, we compared whether NDVI could predict nest predation as well as locally recorded variables (ground cover, vegetation height, etc, ). We report that NDVI performs equally well at predicting nest predation, with predation decreasing with higher values of NDVI, signifying greater habitat structure. This was supported by our finding that predation probability decreased with greater ground cover (a locally recorded variable). Additionally, we found that areas with greater partridge numbers had higher predation and circumstantial evidence that birds are the primary predator in our study area. Overall, our study shows that satellite-derived measures of habitat structure have untapped potential in identifying areas of high nest predation for European ground nesting birds in agricultural landscapes.