Similar Analysis Research Articles

Exploring phyto- and zooplankton community structure, spatial variation, and driving forces shaping the community from a large-scale freshwater dominated estuary

Abstract Plankton is essential to estuarine food webs, providing key food for species like fish larvae, and understanding their dynamics helps us comprehend ecological interactions and energy transfer in aquatic ecosystems. This study examined the plankton community structure, diversity, variability and the environmental variables of water that influenced these communities in a freshwater-dominated estuary along the Northern Bay of Bengal during the dry season. A variety of tools were employed, including a dissecting microscope, a Sedgwick-Rafter cell, and a Hanna multi-parameter meter, to obtain detailed and comprehensive data. From the analyses, in total 37 genera of phytoplankton belonging to 11 classes such as Bacillariophyceae (66%), Coscinodiscophyceae (28%), Fragilariophyceae (1%), Euglenophyceae (1%), Cyanophyceae (1%), others (3%) were recorded. Zooplankton, consisting of multicellular organisms, was represented by 11 genera across five classes, with Monogononta (53%) and Insecta (29%) being the most prevalent. Phytoplankton exhibited a mean abundance of 180,000 ± 20,200 cells L⁻¹ whereas zooplankton showed a mean abundance of 3,000 ± 200 cells L⁻¹. The diversity indices (H’), evenness (J’) and dominance (D) ranged from 1.188 ± 0.015 to 0.19 ± 0.006, 0.9377 ± 0.002 to 0.5118 ± 0.006, 0.365 ± 0.001 to 0.143 ± 0.002 respectively, suggested low to moderate plankton diversity with a suppressed community and moderate to high dominance in the river water. Based on the similarity percentage (SIMPER) and analysis of similarity (ANOSIM), Phytoplankton and zooplankton varied significantly between stations while non-metric multi-dimensional scaling (nMDS) indicated greater consistency in phytoplankton communities across stations compared to zooplankton. Furthermore, Pearson's correlation coefficient (rs) and canonical correspondence analysis (CCA) identified transparency, sulfates, dissolved oxygen, conductivity, TDS, pH, and salinity as major influencers of plankton abundance; nitrate had a moderate effect. Spearman's rank correlations showed significant positive (p < 0.05) correlations between diversity indices and environmental variables.

The genomic and phylogenetic characterization of lytic Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAK bacteriophages BL4, BL6, and BL7 collected from aquatic samples.

Environmental phages infecting Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAK, an opportunistic pathogen, were isolated from playa lakes in Lubbock, TX. We present the genome sequence of three lytic bacteriophages. Upon analysis of sequence similarity, we identified the viruses as a part of an unclassified species within the genus Pbunavirus in the Caudoviricetes class.

Correlation analysis between key volatile compounds and core functional bacterial community during Sichuan black tea processing

Microorganisms participate in the transformation of non-volatile compounds during black tea processing, while their effect on aroma remains unclear. In the present study, 132 KVCs (key volatile compounds) were identified in Sichuan black tea (SBT), of which, linalool and p-cymene were responsible for the citrus-like and sweet aroma of SBT. During the processing of SBT, Methylobacterium-Methylorubrum, Allorhizobium-Neorhizobium-Pararhizobium-Rhizobium, Pedobacter, Acidovorax, and Sphigomonas were the dominant bacterial genera. PCoA (principal components analysis)and Anoism (analysis of similarities) indicated that the bacterial community undergone subtle changes in various processes. Additionally, Pedobacter and Sphigomonas, core functional bacteria contributing to SBT aroma formation, act mainly by secreting enzymes related to amino acid conversion and glycoside hydrolysis. These enzymes include kynureninase, L-cysteate sulfo-lyase, homoserine dehydrogenase, serine/threonine protein phosphatase 1, and aminotransferase. Overall, these findings provide a deep insight into the potential mechanism of aroma formation under bacterial influence during SBT processing.

Prospects of Predicting the Polar Motion Based on the Results of the Second Earth Orientation Parameters Prediction Comparison Campaign

AbstractGrowing interest in Earth Orientation Parameters (EOP) resulted in various approaches to the EOP prediction algorithms, as well as in the exploitation of distinct input data, including the observed EOP values from various operational data centers and modeled effective angular momentum functions. Considering these developments and recently emerged new methodologies, the Second Earth Orientation Parameters Prediction Comparison Campaign (2nd EOP PCC) was pursued in 2021–2022. The campaign was led by Centrum Badań Kosmicznych Polskiej Akademii Nauk in cooperation with Deutsches GeoForschungsZentrum and under the auspices of the International Earth Rotation and Reference Systems Service. This paper provides the analysis and evaluation of the polar motion predictions submitted during the 2nd EOP PCC with the prediction horizons between 10 and 30 days. Our analysis shows that predictions are highly reliable with only a few occasional discrepancies identified in the submitted files. We demonstrate the accuracy of EOP predictions by (a) calculating the mean absolute error relative to polar motion observations from September 2021 through December 2022 and (b) assessing the stability of the predictions in time. The analysis shows unequal results for the x and y components of polar motion (PMx and PMy, respectively). Predictions of PMy are usually more accurate and have a smaller spread across all submitted files when compared to PMx. We present an analysis of similarity between the participants to indicate what methods and input data give comparable output. We also prepared the ranking of prediction methods for polar motion summarizing the achievements of the campaign.

Advancing Hybrid Nanocatalyst Research: A Python-based Visualization of Similarity Analysis for Interdisciplinary and Sustainable Development

Background: This study presents a comprehensive analysis of hybrid nanocatalysts, which amalgamate attributes of both heterogeneous and homogeneous catalysts. Aim: To achieve a holistic understanding of the topic, we embarked on a meticulous exploration across multiple databases. Methods: The Web of Science repository yielded 239 pertinent documents, while the Scopus database offered a more exhaustive collection of 1,887 documents. Although Google Scholar suggested a staggering 25,000 articles, its unclear selection criteria raised questions about the precision and dependability of its data. Hence, our study primarily relied on the Scopus database to ensure an extensive sample and analytical rigor. Using the Python-boosted visualization of Similarities methodology, we illuminated interconnections among various terminologies, identifying burgeoning areas within hybrid nanocatalyst research. Results: Our findings emphasized the ascending trajectory toward innovating materials with superior properties in hybrid nanocatalysis. This trajectory accentuated the pivotal role of interdisciplinary collaboration and sustainable methodologies. Advanced analytical techniques, notably X-ray diffraction, emerged as quintessential in delineating the nuanced relationship between hybrid nanocatalysts' structural and functional attributes. We also spotlighted Energy-Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy's capability in fine-tuning hybrid nanocatalysts' properties, enhancing their catalytic efficacy and selectivity. An intriguing trend our study unearthed was the surge in interest toward integrating natural enzymes as potential catalysts within hybrid nanocatalysts, positioning them as beacons for sustainable and cost-efficient catalyst development. Conclusion: By synthesizing these insights, this research underlines the significance of diverse characterization techniques and the ethos of interdisciplinary collaboration. The derived knowledge offers a repository for fellow researchers, guiding further inquiries, especially regarding integrating natural enzymes in hybrid nanocatalyst innovation.

Founder’s Syndrome

Why would establishing a business resemble starting a religion? When group relations start to break down, why might it feel like a cult? This article examines the blurred lines between religion and business through a focus on the small-scale action of individuals trying to start something that has both economic and spiritual aspects but does not neatly fit into either category. Ethnographically situated in participant observation fieldwork in Sedona, Arizona in 2013, this article focuses on an individual kung fu practitioner and teacher trying to establish a school for martial arts. A close examination of the failure of this attempt, and how many of the students became alienated in the process, leads to an analysis of structural similarities between new religions and startups. In the US, social groups that exist in capitalism will inevitably have economic aspects; those that are also religious face a double bind of this reality with cultural norms derived from a Protestant separation of economics and religion. This article seeks an analytic route beyond this double bind through examining how the corporate form of spiritual seminars shares structural similarities with startups.

Plant communities of high-Andean bofedal wetlands across a trans-Andean transect in southern Peru

Aims: Ecosystems of the Tropical Andes include plant communities above 4,000 m in elevation, associated with wetlands known as bofedales. To enhance our understanding of them, we surveyed bofedal plant communities in the Peruvian Andes. Questions: Which are the most common bofedal plant communities, and what are their main characteristics? Study area: An east-to-west 68 km megatransect in Ayacucho and Huancavelica departments in Peru, the area of influence of a gas pipeline. Methods: We surveyed 127 (1 m × 1 m) permanent plots annually between 2017 and 2019 to assess plant communities, calculated diversity metrics, and applied non-parametric hypothesis testing analysis of similarities and multivariate analyses to the data. Results: We identified 13 plant communities with 3.5 to 11.7 mean species richness. Only seven were statistically different; the other six were rare and require additional surveys to define their status as independent communities. The Distichia muscoides-dominated community was found in most sites (90%), plots (55%), and along the entire elevational range we studied. D. muscoides, Plantago tubulosa, and Rockhausenia pygmaea were the most frequent species in the studied bofedales (in 30 of 31 sites). These species are usually cushion or carpet forming, so average plant cover was high in most plant communities where they occurred (89–98%). The seven plant communities (dominated by D. muscoides, R. pygmaea, Plantago tubulosa, P. rigida, Lachemilla diplophylla, Aciachne pulvinata and Juncus stipulatus) were consistent in their structural and compositional characteristics and maintained differences between them during our three-year study. Conclusions: We show that bofedal plant communities in the southern Peruvian Andes are more heterogeneous than the four broad types previously reported. This heterogeneity occurs at local site levels but also at landscape and regional scales. We highlight the importance of considering this heterogeneity when discussing and implementing management, restoration, and conservation actions in bofedales. Taxonomic reference: WFO (2024)

More similarity than difference: comparison of within- and between-sex variance in early adolescent brain structure.

Background Adolescent neuroimaging studies of sex differences in the human brain predominantly examine mean differences between males and females. This focus on between-groups differences without probing relative distributions and similarities may contribute to both conflation and overestimation of sex differences and sexual dimorphism in the developing human brain. Methods We aimed to characterize the variance in brain macro- and micro-structure in early adolescence as it pertains to sex at birth using a large sample of 9-11 year-olds from the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) Study (N=7,723). Specifically, for global and regional estimates of gray and white matter volume, cortical thickness, and white matter microstructure (i.e., fractional anisotropy and mean diffusivity), we examined: within- and between-sex variance, overlap between male and female distributions, inhomogeneity of variance via the Fligner-Killeen test, and an analysis of similarities (ANOSIM). For completeness, we examined these sex differences using both uncorrected (raw) brain estimates and residualized brain estimates after using mixed-effects modeling to account for age, pubertal development, socioeconomic status, race, ethnicity, MRI scanner manufacturer, and total brain volume, where applicable. Results The overlap between male and female distributions was universally greater than the difference (overlap coefficient range: 0.585 - 0.985) and the ratio of within-sex and between-sex differences was similar (ANOSIM R range: -0.001 - 0.117). All cortical and subcortical volumes showed significant inhomogeneity of variance, whereas a minority of brain regions showed significant sex differences in variance for cortical thickness, white matter volume, fractional anisotropy, and mean diffusivity. Inhomogeneity of variance was reduced after accounting for other sources of variance. Overlap coefficients were larger and ANOSIM R values were smaller for residualized outcomes, indicating greater within- and smaller between-sex differences once accounting for other covariates. Conclusions Reported sex differences in early adolescent human brain structure may be driven by disparities in variance, rather than binary, sex-based phenotypes. Contrary to the popular view of the brain as sexually dimorphic, we found more similarity than difference between sexes in all global and regional measurements of brain structure examined. This study builds upon previous findings illustrating the importance of considering variance when examining sex differences in brain structure.

Analysis of Diurnal Air Temperature Trends and Pattern Similarities in Highland and Lowland Stations of Italy and UK

ABSTRACTIn this study, an analysis of hourly air temperatures in four groups of 32 stations from the UK highland (5 stations), UK lowland (4 stations), Italian highland (11 stations), and Italian lowland (12 stations) at different altitudes was carried out over the period from 2002 to 2021. The study aimed to examine the trends of each hour of the day during this period, over different averaging time windows (10‐day, 30‐day, and 60‐day). The trends were computed using the Mann–Kendall trend test and Sen's slope estimator. The similarity of trends within and across the groups of stations was assessed using the hierarchical clustering with dynamic time warping technique. An additional analysis was conducted to show the correlation of trends among the group of stations using the correlation distance matrix. Hierarchical clustering and distance correlation analysis show trend similarities and correlations, also indicating dissimilarities among different groups. Using 30‐day averages, significant warming trends in specific months at the Italian stations are evident, especially in February, July, August, and December. The UK highland stations did not show statistically significant trends, but clear pattern similarities were found within the groups, especially in certain months. The ultimate goal of this article is to provide insights into temperature dynamics and climate change characteristics on regional and diurnal scales.

Microbial diversity in primary endodontic infections: demographics and radiographic characteristics.

To analyze if the microbiome community composition in primary endodontic infections is associated with clinical or radiographic factors. Seventy-one patients with primary endodontic infections were evaluated for percussion tenderness, presence of a sinus tract, presence of caries, sex, probing depth > 4mm, and age. Samples from the root canals were obtained and the microbiome was subsequently characterized by 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing. For the radiographic analysis, a subset of 12 samples with a periapical index (PAI) ≤ 2 were compared with 19 samples with PAI of 5. The Shannon and Chao1 indices were used to measure alpha diversity. Differences in abundances of genera were evaluated using the Kruskal-Wallis test with Bonferroni's correction. Differences in community composition were evaluated using analysis of similarity (ANOSIM) with Bray-Curtis dissimilarity matrices. No significant differences in microbiome composition relative to clinical factors were found using ANOSIM. Teeth within the two categories of periapical index showed a similar number of species richness, and alpha diversity values P > 0.05. Community composition was significantly affected by the periapical index (ANOSIM P = 0.039, R = 0.10). Larger radiographic lesions demonstrated significant increase in Prevotellaceae, Olsenella, and the motile bacteria Oribacterium, Selenomonadaceae spp., and Treponema. Clinical factors associated with apical periodontitis have a limited impact on the root canal microbiome composition. Community composition appears to be affected in teeth with large apical lesions.

The Importance of Regenerating Forests for Biodiversity Conservation: Insights From Bird Communities

Biodiversity is crucial for ecological research and ecosystem function, but human activities have led to widespread habitat loss and threats to biodiversity. Recent studies challenge the belief that only primary forests preserve biodiversity, as 20-year-old secondary forests can exhibit comparable levels. We emphasize the significance of studying regenerating and human-altered forests. Our research explores the impact of such forests on avian communities, focusing on different habitat and forest types. Using Non-metric Multidimensional Scaling and Analysis of Similarities, we analyze bird community composition across various habitats. The Parker index and Analysis of Variance evaluate bird sensitivity to habitat changes. Results indicate significant differences in bird communities and sensitivity based on forest and habitat types. The study provides insights into forest integrity, contributing to improved conservation practices in regenerating and human-altered forests. Limitations include assumptions due to limited fragmented plots, suggesting avenues for future research to enhance forest regeneration efforts.

Ecological health assessment using zooplankton index of biotic integrity (Z-IBI) in urban rivers in Hainan Island, China.

The Changwang, Meishe, and Wuyuan are urban rivers in Haikou City, Hainan Island. They are vital water sources, serving various purposes, from farmland irrigation to domestic and industrial use. Unfortunately, anthropogenic activities have influenced these "rivers," negatively impacting water quality and ecological functions; however, there is limited research on their ecological status. Thus, this study assessed the zooplankton community structure and developed the zooplankton index of biotic integrity (Z-IBI) to evaluate the ecological status. Samples were collected and analyzed seasonally in 2019. Generally, 159 zooplankton species belonging to 85 genera, 55 families, and 3 phyla were identified, dominated by Rotifer and Protozoa, followed by Arthropoda (groups of Copepod and Cladocera). The zooplankton density varied from 0.00 to 126.04 ind L-1, with averages of 19.49 ind L-1, 31.40 ind L-1, and 20.38 ind L-1 in Changwang, Meishe, and Wuyuan, respectively. The zooplankton density varied seasonally as summer > spring > winter > autumn. Analysis of similarity (ANOSIM) indicated a significant seasonal difference (R = 0.070, p < 0.001) in zooplankton community but not spatially (R = 0.004, p = 0.413). Thus, SIMPER revealed that Brachionus forficula, Didinium nasutum, Keratella valga, Nauplius, and Polyarthra vulgaris contributed to the seasonal differences. The redundancy analysis (RDA) revealed environmental factors, including total phosphorus (TP), total nitrogen (TN), ammonia nitrogen (NH3-N), chemical oxygen demand (CODMn), dissolved oxygen (DO), temperature, pH, Chl-a, and electrical conductivity (EC) influenced zooplankton species. The Z-IBI was established using Zooplankton abundance, Protozoa abundance, Copepod abundance, Cladoceran biomass %, and Shannon-Wiener diversity index. Based on Z-IBI evaluation, ecological status was "moderate" in Changwang and Wuyuan, while it was "low" in Meishe. Seasonally, the ecological status in autumn was better than in summer and spring. The Z-IBI showed that parameters, including pH, EC, CODMn, TN, TP, and Chl-a, decreased with improving water quality, while water transparency increased with improved water quality. Thus, the "rivers" ecological status could be adequately assessed using the Z-IBI to guide their water quality monitoring and management.

Analysis of Similarities and Discrepancies Between Chinese and Western Hermits Based on Tao Yuanming and Thoreau

Throughout history, the word “hermit” has been a universal concept in both Chinese and western cultures. Chinese and western hermits keep harmony in diversity. To some extent, in terms of some core values, they step on the same paths. At the same time, differences also make them shine uniquely. In ancient societies and modern world, their simple lifestyle and unshakable pursuit of inner purification have inspired people to seek for the real themselves. Their great minds, unique attitudes towards life and extraordinary contributions have significantly promoted the fields of literature, arts and philosophy. This thesis takes Tao Yuanming and Henry David Thoreau, who were typical figures of hermits as main examples, uses a comparative analysis approach, shedding light on the similarities and discrepancies between Chinese and western hermits. Additionally, it provides suggestions on how to live peacefully and easily. In our modern society full of involution and competition, it is of great significance to learn, inherit and internalize the precious spirits, thoughts and ideas from hermits.

Riqueza y distribución de leguminosas en un gradiente ambiental dentro del Área Natural Protegida Altas Cumbres, Tamaulipas, México

Background: Altas Cumbres is a protected natural area located in the center of the state of Tamaulipas, which has not been sufficiently studied. Although legumes are a family well represented in the area, until now, no studies had been carried out to reveal their richness and distribution. Questions: How many and which legume species are found in the study area and how are they distributed along an environmental gradient? Species study: Fabaceae family. Study site and dates: Altas Cumbres, Tamaulipas, Mexico, during 2022 and 2023. Methods: Botanical material was collected and identified using specialized bibliography; Herbarium specimens and online databases were reviewed. An analysis of similarity was carried out with the sites studied, using the Jaccard index to obtain β diversity and observe its distribution. Results: A total of 132 species were obtained, belonging to 57 genera and three subfamilies. The greatest diversity of legumes belonged to the subfamily Papilionoideae (86 species / 37 genera), followed by Caesalpinoideae (41/18) and finally Cercidoideae (5/2). Herbaceous plants were dominant with respect to woody plants. Most species were recorded in an elevation range between 300 and 499 m asl, in submontane scrub and pine-oak forest communities. Conclusions: Altas Cumbres is an important reservoir for legumes from Tamaulipas and Sierra Madre Oriental considering its high richness and endemism (33 species restricted to Mexico).

187 Exploring deep shotgun sequencing to understand the rumen microbial function in Angus bulls with divergent RFI EPD

Abstract We investigated the rumen microbiome of Angus bulls selected for Residual Feed Intake-Expected Progeny Difference (RFI-EPD) utilizing deep shotgun metagenomic sequencing. Negative RFI-EPD bulls (NegRFI: n = 10; RFI-EPD = -0.3883 kg/d) and Positive RFI-EPD bulls (PosRFI: n = 10; RFI-EPD = 0.2935 kg/d) were selected from a group of 59 Angus bulls [average body weight (BW) = 427.81 ± 18.77 kg] fed a high-forage total mixed ration after a 59-d testing period. At the end of the 59-d period, rumen fluid samples were collected for bacterial DNA extraction and subsequent shotgun metagenomic sequencing. Results of the metagenome analysis revealed greater gene richness in NegRFI bulls compared with PosRFI. Analysis of similarity revealed a significant difference (P = 0.05) in the rumen microbial community between the NegRFI and PosRFI. Linear Discriminant Analysis effect size (Lefse) was used to identify the differentially abundant taxa. The Lefse results showed that class Fibrobacteria (LDA = 5.1) and genus Fibrobacter (LDA = 4.8) were the most differentially enriched markers in NegRFI bulls, compared with PosRFI bulls. Relative abundance of the carbohydrate-active enzymes was also compared using lefse analysis. The results showed greater relative abundance of glycoside hydrolases and carbohydrate-binding modules such as GH5, CBM86, CBM35, GH43, and CBM6 (LDA &amp;gt; 3.0) in NegRFI bulls whereas GH13 and GT2 were greater in PosRFI. The distinct metabolic and microbial profiles observed in NegRFI, compared with PosRFI bulls, characterized by greater gene richness and specific taxa such as Fibrobacter, and variations in carbohydrate-active enzymes, underscore the potential genetic and functional differences in their rumen microbiome. These findings contribute to a deeper understanding of the interplay between host genetics, microbiota, and feed efficiency in Angus bulls, opening avenues for targeted interventions and advancements in livestock management practices.

Early impact of domestication on aggressiveness, activity, and stress behaviors in zebrafish (Danio rerio) using mirror test and automated videotracking

Fish domestication progresses through five levels: from the initial acclimatization to captivity (Level 1), to the life cycle completion in captivity (Level 4), and even to the implementation of selective breeding programs (Level 5). Domestication leads to phenotypic changes over generations, sometimes from the very first generation. Behavioral traits are among the first to change. However, in fish, potential behavioral changes during early domestication have been little studied. Therefore, we studied potential behavioral changes among early and advanced levels of domestication in a model species, the zebrafish (Danio rerio), using a mirror test experiment, commonly used to assess traits involved in activity, aggressiveness, and stress in this species. We compared these traits between wild zebrafish in captivity (F0; Level 1), the first generation of their captive-born offspring (F1; Level 4), and three laboratory strains (AB, TU, and WIK; Level 5). Each fish was individually filmed and tracked using an automated procedure for 5 min. Nine behavioral traits and one activity-related trait were characterized for each individual based on the movements and positioning of the fish. We applied a principal component analysis (PCA) and tested the significance of potential differences between groups using an analysis of similarities (ANOSIM). We applied an indicator value analysis (IndVal) to determine which traits were most expressed by each group. We detected differences between groups and across domestication levels. More specifically, we highlighted differentiations between different levels of domestication (e.g. between F1, AB, TU, and WIK) as early as the beginning of the domestication process (i.e. F0 vs. F1), but also within the same level of domestication (i.e. AB vs. TU). Based on PCA and IndVal, (i) F0 and F1 tended to show stronger expression of stress-related traits than the other groups, (ii) F0 was more active than others, and (iii) TU was more aggressive than AB. Our results confirmed that domestication can change fish behavior, even in the first generation born in captivity, although these modifications remain limited. In contrast, we did not observe any general trends correlated with domestication levels, given that AB and TU diverged in their aggressiveness levels, and WIK differed only from F1. This result needs to be generalized to other species but also considered for domestication for aquaculture. If future studies confirm that the changes observed at the beginning of the domestication process remain limited and that there is no consistent evolutionary trend across generations in fish, this would highlight the crucial importance of selecting the right species from the outset of domestication. It would also emphasize the need to design selective breeding programs that shape fish stocks with the most desirable characteristics. To our knowledge, this study is one of the few to examine the behavior of wild zebrafish alongside laboratory strains, offering a unique insight into the early stages of domestication.

Effects of Pre-Fermentative Treatments with Non-Synthetic Ternary Component Fining Agents Based on Pea Protein on the Volatile Profiles of Aromatic Wines of Tămâioasă Românească

To remove oxidizable polyphenolic compounds from wines, fining treatments with products of various origins are applied before or after fermentation. Seeking alternatives to the treatments with animal proteins or synthetic materials such as polyvinylpolypyrrolidone (PVPP), vegetal and mineral products are tested. One of these alternative agents is pea protein (P), which can be combined with chitosan (K), yeast cell walls (Y), active carbon (C), and/or Ca-bentonite (B). Aside from the proven polyphenol removal effect, these products can also have an impact on aroma. This research evaluates the effect of P and ternary combinations with P on the volatile compounds of aromatic wines from the Tămâioasă românească variety. Several variants of treatments with P and with ternary mixtures involving P were prepared in triplicate with a total dose of 20 g/hL of fining agent applied during the pre-fermentative phase. Volatile profiles were determined using a flash gas chromatograph with two short columns of different polarities. The chromatographic peak areas for the identified ethylic esters, acetates and terpenes were used to compare the fining treatment effects. To test the significant differences between experimental variants, the Analysis of Similarity (ANOSIM) was used. The influences of P used alone and PVPP used alone were both significantly different compared to control (untreated), but based on the dissimilarity index R, PVPP affected the volatile profile about twice as much as P, showing that pea protein is a good alternative for PVPP. The ethyl esters were especially reduced by PVPP, while P especially reduced the terpenes. From all the tested pea protein ternary agents, those containing bentonite (PCB and PYB) showed a significant reducing effect on all classes of compounds and therefore are not recommended. The combinations containing yeast cell walls, PCY and PKY, are the most interesting alternatives to both PVPP and P used independently, PCY being the least aggressive of all treatments on overall aroma, preserving well the aroma compounds of all determined classes, including terpenes.

Typical earthworm assemblages of European ecosystem types

AbstractFor nature conservation and planning, terrestrial ecosystems are commonly classified based on their plant communities. Although soils are fundamental to ecosystem functioning, ecosystem classifications based on soil organisms are rare, and it is poorly understood whether their assemblage compositions follow existing classification schemes. We examined whether commonly used ecosystem types capture variation in earthworm (Lumbricidae) assemblages—a crucial biotic component of soil ecosystems. To this end, we created four ecosystem classifications by combining large‐scale climatic classifications (Biogeographic Regions [BGR] and Holdridge Life Zones [HLZ]) with small‐scale land cover classifications (CORINE Land Cover [CLC] and European Nature Information System [EUNIS]). European earthworm assemblage data from the sWORM and Edaphobase databases were analysed for variation in composition within and among ecosystem types, using Permutational Analysis of Variance and Analysis of Similarities. Additionally, we used Typical Species Analysis to establish typical earthworm assemblages (TAs) for each ecosystem type. Ecosystem classifications using the BGR explained more variance than HLZ, but HLZ showed a higher separation of assemblages between ecosystem types. The differentiation between Atlantic and Continental climates in the BGR could explain the superiority over the HLZ, which had only one category for the cool temperate zone of our study region. The typical assemblages contained on average six species, with some habitat generalists present in most. This study shows that combinations of ecosystem properties from different spatial scales can be used to distinguish between earthworm assemblages at the European level. However, earthworm assemblages across Europe were highly similar due to low species richness and the dominance of a few widespread species. This limits the possibility of applying TAs on large spatial scales, for example, for environmental monitoring. We suggest that future studies should explore the use of more species‐rich groups of soil organisms to characterize ecosystem types.

Using Association Rules to Obtain Sets of Prevalent Symptoms throughout the COVID-19 Pandemic: An Analysis of Similarities between Cases of COVID-19 and Unspecified SARS in São Paulo-Brazil.

The efficient recognition of symptoms in viral infections holds promise for swift and precise diagnosis, thus mitigating health implications and the potential recurrence of infections. COVID-19 presents unique challenges due to various factors influencing diagnosis, especially regarding disease symptoms that closely resemble those of other viral diseases, including other strains of SARS, thus impacting the identification of useful and meaningful symptom patterns as they emerge in infections. Therefore, this study proposes an association rule mining approach, utilising the Apriori algorithm to analyse the similarities between individuals with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 diagnosis and those with unspecified SARS diagnosis. The objective is to investigate, through symptom rules, the presence of COVID-19 patterns among individuals initially not diagnosed with the disease. Experiments were conducted using cases from Brazilian SARS datasets for São Paulo State. Initially, reporting percentage similarities of symptoms in both groups were analysed. Subsequently, the top ten rules from each group were compared. Finally, a search for the top five most frequently occurring positive rules among the unspecified ones, and vice versa, was conducted to identify identical rules, with a particular focus on the presence of positive rules among the rules of individuals initially diagnosed with unspecified SARS.

Environmental DNA-Based Identification of Non-Native Fish in Beijing: Diversity, Geographical Distribution, and Interactions with Native Taxa.

Rapid urbanization and its associated human activities have facilitated the colonization and spread of non-native species, rendering urban ecosystems, particularly in megacities such as Beijing, highly susceptible to biological invasions. This study employed environmental DNA (eDNA) metabarcoding to evaluate the biodiversity and geographical distribution of non-native fish, as well as their interactions with native fish species, across three river basins in Beijing pertaining to the Daqing River, the North Canal, and the Ji Canal. Across all the 67 sampling sites, we identified 60 fish taxa, representing 11 orders, 23 families, and 40 genera, with an average of 33.0 taxa per site. Of these, 40 taxa were native, accounting for only 47.1% of the historically recorded native fish species. Additionally, we detected 20 non-native fish taxa, spanning 11 orders, 13 families, and 17 genera. Native fish exhibited geographical homogenization across the basins, while non-native taxa displayed varied geographical distributions. Non-metric multidimensional scaling (NMDS) and analysis of similarities (ANOSIM) revealed no significant variation in the non-native communities across the river basins. Although most of the non-native taxa were widespread, some were restricted to specific sites or basins. The North Canal exhibited significantly lower non-native biodiversity compared with the Ji Canal across all alpha diversity indices. Simple linear regression analyses indicated positive correlations between the number of taxa and species richness for both native and non-native taxa. Interestingly, species co-occurrence analyses revealed predominantly positive interactions among both native and non-native species pairs, with only two negative relationships involving one native and two non-native taxa. This study provides insights into the biodiversity and geographical distribution of non-native fish in Beijing and establishes a baseline for future biomonitoring and conservation efforts. The findings underscore the need for further investigation into the mechanisms and dynamics of biological invasions within urban environments in Beijing.