Sites North Research Articles

Soil degradation around Orji municipal solid waste dump site: a spatial assessment.

The present study assessed the impact of municipal solid waste dump on the degradation of soil around Orji dump site. A total of 15 soil samples were collected for this study. Twelve soil samples were collected around the dump site at 0m, 10m, and 20m distance and three from Imo State University (IMSU) research farm as control. The samples were collected from the east, west, north, and south of the dump site. The samples were subjected to laboratory analyses. The mean results obtained indicate that the values of the dump site soil parameters analyzed ranged from 86.67 to 89.00% (sand), 4.33 to 5.67% (silt), 7.00 to 7.67% (clay), 6.80 to 7.50 (pH), 4.33 to 7.00 dS m-1 electric conductivity (EC), 0.0028 to 0.0045mgkg-1 (salinity), 2.36 to 3.76% soil organic matter (SOM), 24.13 to 38.93 cmolc kg-1 cation exchange capacity (CEC), 4.50 to 9.57 cmolc kg-1 calcium (Ca), and 1.0 to 2.25 cmolc kg-1 magnesium (Mg). At the control, mean values were 81.24% (sand), 6.39% (silt), 12.45% (clay), 5.69 (pH), 0.47 dS m-1 (EC), 0.0005mgkg-1 (salinity), 1.99% (SOM), 5.08 cmolc kg-1 (CEC), 2.17 cmolc kg-1 (Ca), and 1.67 cmolc kg-1 (Mg). These values showed substantial enrichment. Correlations indicate that EC, salinity, and CEC majorly determined the availability of most of the parameters analyzed. Soil degradation index (SDI) was used to determine degradation around the dump site. It ranged from 2.546.61% (0m) to 1573.50% (10m) and 1.603.73% (20m). Thus, distance affected the rate of soil degradation in all directions away from the dump site.

Site conditions rather than provenance drive tree growth, climate sensitivity and drought responses in European beech in Germany

Ongoing climate change and associated extreme events strongly impact the growth and vitality of forest ecosystems in Europe. Because of its’ high drought sensitivity, European beech, which is considered as climax tree species in large parts of Central Europe, may specifically suffer. Hence, recent studies increasingly focus on the resistance and resilience of beech growth to climate change. Intra-specific variations in growth responses by comparing different beech provenances, however, received less attention, as did the question whether provenance selection can be used to mitigate potential future negative impacts of climate change. Therefore, we here investigated 24 provenances belonging to the International Beech Provenance Trial growing at three sites in Germany along a latitudinal gradient (study sites are referred to as ’North’, ‘Center’, ‘South’). Specifically, we compared tree-ring width (TRW), diameter breast height (DBH), climate-growth relationships, as well as drought resistance and resilience in the extreme years 2003 and 2018. Large differences in growth performance were observed between the three study sites. At site North, beech trees showed the highest DBH and TRW. Tree growth was predominantly driven by previous-year October and current-year winter temperature, whereas growth at sites Center and South was significantly impacted by summer SPEI and constrained by precipitation in late winter and early June, respectively. Overall, drought responses in 2003 were less variable than in 2018. We found increasing resistance and decreasing resilience from the wetter North to the drier South, but with minimal differences between the Center and the South. Whereas differences between study sites were large, provenance differentiation within sites was comparably low, substantiating that beech is a highly plastic tree species. Even though some provenances were found to perform slightly better or worse, differences were not statistically significant and show unclear patterns. Hence, we conclude that climate change will affect beech forests in Europe mainly depending upon site conditions, and that provenance selection may not ensure superior growth performance.

Spatiotemporal Variation in Absorption Aerosol Optical Depth over China

Absorbing aerosols can absorb solar radiation, affect the atmospheric radiation balance, and further have a profound influence on the global and regional climates. The absorption aerosol optical depth (AAOD) as well as the absorption Angstrom exponent (AAE) across China over 2005–2018 were systematically studied through the Ozone Monitoring Instrument (OMI) dataset. The monthly AAOD samples from the OMI generally showed a good correlation (~0.55) compared to the monthly data from AERONET at four typical sites (North: Xianghe, East: Taihu, South: Hongkong Polytechnic Univ; Northwest: Sacol) across China. The ensemble annual average of the OMI AAOD at 388 and 500 nm is 0.046 and 0.022, with minor changes during 2005–2015, and a relatively fast increase after that. The winter and spring seasons depict the maximum mean AAODs, followed by autumn, whereas summer shows minimum levels. On the contrary, the high AAE values appear in summer and low values in winter. The order of the annual average AAOD500 from 2005 to 2018 is the Tarim Basin (TB, 0.041) > the Yellow River Basin (YRB, 0.023) > Beijing and Tianjin (BT, 0.026) > the Sichuan Basin (SB, 0.023) > Nanjing and Shanghai (NS, 0.021) > the Pearl River Delta (PRD, 0.017), whereas the AAE388–500 exhibits the opposite trend except for the TB (3.058). From 2005 to 2018, the AAOD rises by nearly 1.5–2.0 fold in the six typical regions, implying a severe situation of dust and/or BC aerosol pollution in the last several years. The monthly mean AAOD388 over the TB, the SB, the YRB, BT, the PRD, and NS is estimated to be smallest at 0.072, 0.024, 0.026, and 0.027 in July, 0.024 in June, and 0.025 in September, respectively, whilst largest in January for NS, the YRB and BT, April for the TB, February for the SB, and March for the PRD with 0.055, 0.077 and 0.067, 0.123, and 0.073 and 0.075, respectively. The monthly averaged AAOD500 in each region is consistently about half of the AAOD388. The highest AAE appears in June while the lowest values are in December and January, and the daily AAE values in episode days slightly decrease as compared to non-episode days. Our study indicates that northwestern China plays an important role in the overall AAOD as a result of dust aerosols stemming from desert areas. Moreover, the meteorological conditions in winter and early spring are associated with more energy consumption conducive to the accumulation of high black carbon (BC) aerosol pollution, causing high alert levels of AAOD from November to the following March.

Delivery of DART Impact Ejecta to Mars and Earth: Opportunity for Meteor Observations

NASA’s Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART) and ESA’s Hera missions offer a unique opportunity to investigate the delivery of impact ejecta to other celestial bodies. We performed ejecta dynamical simulations using 3 million particles categorized into three size populations (10 cm, 0.5 cm, and 30 μm) and constrained by early postimpact LICIACube observations. The main simulation explored ejecta velocities ranging from 1 to 1000 m s−1, while a secondary simulation focused on faster ejecta with velocities from 1 to 2 km s−1. We identified DART ejecta orbits compatible with the delivery of meteor-producing particles to Mars and Earth. Our results indicate the possibility of ejecta reaching the Mars Hill sphere in 13 yr for launch velocities around 450 m s−1, which is within the observed range. Some ejecta particles launched at 770 m s−1 could reach Mars's vicinity in 7 yr. Faster ejecta resulted in a higher flux delivery toward Mars and particles impacting the Earth Hill sphere above 1.5 km s−1. The delivery process is slightly sensitive to the initial observed cone range and driven by synodic periods. The launch locations for material delivery to Mars were predominantly north of the DART impact site, while they displayed a southwestern tendency for the Earth–Moon system. Larger particles exhibit a marginally greater likelihood of reaching Mars, while smaller particles favor delivery to Earth–Moon, although this effect is insignificant. To support observational campaigns for DART-created meteors, we provide comprehensive information on the encounter characteristics (orbital elements and radiants) and quantify the orbital decoherence degree of the released meteoroids.

Staphylococcus aureus screening and preoperative decolonisation with Mupirocin and Chlorhexidine to reduce the risk of surgical site infections in orthopaedic surgery: a pre-post study

BackgroundNasal carriage of Staphylococcus aureus is a risk factor for surgical site infections (SSI) in orthopaedic surgery. The efficacy of decolonisation for S. aureus on reducing the risk of SSI is uncertain in this speciality. The objective was to evaluate the impact of a nasal screening strategy of S. aureus and targeted decolonisation on the risk of S. aureus SSI.MethodsA retrospective pre-post and here-elsewhere study was conducted between January 2014 and June 2020 in 2 adult orthopaedic surgical sites (North and South) of a French university hospital. Decolonisation with Mupirocin and Chlorhexidine was conducted in S. aureus carriers starting February 2017 in the South site (intervention group). Scheduled surgical procedures for hip, knee arthroplasties, and osteosyntheses were included and monitored for one year. The rates of S. aureus SSI in the intervention group were compared to a historical control group (South site) and a North control group. The risk factors for S. aureus SSI were analysed by logistic regression.ResultsA total of 5,348 surgical procedures was included, 100 SSI of which 30 monomicrobial S. aureus SSI were identified. The preoperative screening result was available for 60% (1,382/2,305) of the intervention group patients. Among these screenings, 25.3% (349/1,382) were positive for S. aureus and the efficacy of the decolonisation was 91.6% (98/107). The rate of S. aureus SSI in the intervention group (0.3%, 7/2,305) was not significantly different from the historical control group (0.5%, 9/1926) but differed significantly from the North control group (1.3%, 14/1,117). After adjustment, the risk factors of S. aureus SSI occurrence were the body mass index (ORaper unit, 1.05; 95%CI, 1.0-1.1), the Charlson comorbidity index (ORaper point, 1.34; 95%CI, 1.0–1.8) and operative time (ORaper minute, 1.01; 95%CI, 1.00–1.02). Having benefited from S. aureus screening/decolonisation was a protective factor (ORa, 0.24; 95%CI, 0.08–0.73).ConclusionsDespite the low number of SSI, nasal screening and targeted decolonisation of S. aureus were associated with a reduction in S. aureus SSI.

Modeling the influence of forest vegetation and climate change on the long-term performance of a cover with capillary barrier effects used to control acid mine drainage: the Lorraine case study

ABSTRACT The Lorraine mine site in Témiscamingue region (Québec, Canada) was reclaimed with a cover with capillary barrier effects (CCBE) to limit acid mine drainage generation. The main objective of this study is to predict the long-term hydrogeological behaviour of the CCBE at Lorraine site, including the influence of vegetation and climate change (CC). Numerical simulations showed that performance of the CCBE is: (1) not affected by forest vegetation and CC in the saturated zone in the north of the Lorraine site and (2) more sensitive to vegetation in the unsaturated zone in the south where the phreatic level is low.

Impact of Crush Rock Mining on Soil Enzyme Activities and Nutritional Composition of Ipomea batata in Okue-Ishiagu, Ebonyi State, Nigeria

The study assessed the impact of Crush Rock mining on soil enzyme activities and the nutritional composition of Ipomea batata in Okue-Ishiagu, Ebonyi State. Soil samples were collected from mining sites (East, West, North, and South) and a control site. Soil enzyme activities including dehydrogenase, acid phosphatase, alkaline phosphatase, hydrogen peroxidase, and urease were analyzed, along with the nutritional composition of Ipomea batata harvested from the study area. Significant differences (p < 0.05) were observed in soil enzyme activities between the control and mining sites. Dehydrogenase, acid phosphatase, alkaline phosphatase, hydrogen peroxidase, and urease activities were significantly reduced in mining site soils compared to the control. Additionally, the nutritional composition of Ipomea batata showed significant alterations in %Moisture content, %Protein, and %Vitamin C in test samples compared to the control, with a decrease in %Ash, %Fat, and %Fibre. These findings highlight the adverse effects of Crush Rock mining activities on soil health and the nutritional quality of an important staple crop in the region. Keywords: Crush Rock mining, soil enzyme activities, nutritional composition, Ipomea batata, Ebonyi State.

Empty pantries: The death of survival myths among typhoon Haiyan survivors in resettlement sites during COVID-19

Research has shown that globally, people often rely on their social networks to survive and recover from crises and disasters. This phenomenon has also been seen in the Philippines, a nation well-acquainted with disasters. This paper will look at the role social capital has played in the survival of an understudied and vulnerable group in the Philippines during the COVID-19 pandemic - the survivors of Typhoon Haiyan (locally known as Typhoon Yolanda) living in resettlement sites north of Tacloban City. Using a qualitative approach to analysis 357 household surveys of resettlement site residents across Tacloban City, we argue that the myth of social capital as a lifeline for Filipinos in times of disaster does not necessarily apply to Haiyan survivors in resettlement sites during the pandemic. The paper finds that respondents’ relational social capital is imbalanced, with Haiyan survivors relying mainly on themselves or their bonding ties like close family members for financial assistance during the pandemic. The lack of diversity in their relational social capital in turn impacts their ability to survive and recover from COVID-19. Meanwhile, the relevance of collective social capital among respondents during the pandemic is not clear either – participants see value in engaging in mutual support initiatives (i.e., bayanihan) and share relatively strong relationships with some members of their community but also possess low levels of trust toward fellow resettlement site residents.

Inferred wind speed and direction during the descent and landing of Perseverance on Mars

Perseverance successfully parachuted into Jezero crater close to its western rim on a Martian spring afternoon. In situ observations of the wind conditions during the parachute and powered descent are unavailable. These observations are important for characterising the Planetary Boundary Layer (PBL) and to better constrain atmospheric conditions in Jezero crater.We infer the winds during Perseverance's parachute descent from an altitude of 12 km down to 2 km by fitting a trajectory model to the reconstructed trajectory data published by the M2020 Entry, Descent and Landing team. Below 2 km altitude we infer the winds by analysing a High Resolution Imaging Science Experiment (HiRISE) image of the landing site that was obtained about one sol after the landing.Our inferred wind speed and direction profile indicate high speed winds at an altitude of 7 km blowing from the east and at 3 km blowing from the southwest. Below an altitude of 2 km, the winds are inferred to be easterlies. The heat shield impact on the surface was observed by Perseverance's Lander Vision System Camera (LCAM). Afterwards, ejecta clouds were observed moving towards the north of the impact site. These observations, together with the orientation of the parachute canopy on the surface, suggest near-surface winds at the time were southerlies.We have inferred the wind speed and direction during Perseverance's descent that are consistent with its horizontal motion as revealed by trajectory data and HiRISE image. Comparisons with atmospheric models suggest the high speed winds could be related to topographic forcing. This study provides constraints for atmospheric modelling and advances the characterisation of winds in Jezero crater, focusing on the vertical structure of the complex wind field present in the crater.

Prevalence and Associated Clinical Characteristics of Walking-Related Motor, Cognitive, and Fatigability in Progressive Multiple Sclerosis: Baseline Results From the CogEx Study

Background: People with progressive multiple sclerosis (PMS) present motor (eg, walking) and cognitive impairments, and report fatigue. Fatigue encompasses fatigability which is objectively measured by the capacity to sustain a motor or cognitive task. Objective: To investigate the prevalence of walking and cognitive fatigability (CF) and the associated clinical characteristics in a large sample of PMS patients. Methods: PMS patients (25-65 years old) were included from 11 sites (Europe and North America), having cognitive impairment (1.28 standard deviation below normative data for the symbol digit modality test [SDMT]). Walking fatigability (WF) was assessed using the distance walk index (DWI) and CF using the SDMT (scores from the last 30 seconds compared to the first 30 seconds). Additional measures were: cognitive assessment—Brief International Cognitive Assessment for multiple sclerosis (MS), cardiorespiratory fitness, 6-minute walk, physical activity, depressive symptoms, perceived fatigue—Modified Fatigue Impact Scale (MFIS), MS impact—MSIS-29, and walking ability. Results: Of 298 participants, 153 (51%) presented WF (DWI = −28.9 ± 22.1%) and 196 (66%) presented CF (−29.7 ± 15%). Clinical characteristics (EDSS, disease duration, and use of assistive device) were worse in patients with versus without WF. They also presented worse scores on MSIS-29 physical, MFIS total and physical and reduced physical capacity. CF patients scored better in the MSIS-29 physical and MFIS psychosocial, compared to non-CF group. Magnitude of CF and WF were not related. Conclusions: Half of the cognitively-impaired PMS population presented WF which was associated with higher disability, physical functions, and fatigue. There was a high prevalence of CF but without strong associations with clinical, cognitive, and physical functions. Trial Registration Number: The “CogEx-study,” www.clinicaltrial.gov identifier number: NCT03679468.

Humus component of pedosediments at the end of the Sartan cryochron in the Nadym River basin (West Siberia)

The aim of the study. To assess the potential of humus substances from the pedosediments in the polygonal ice wedges pseudomorphs as indicators of the paleoecological conditions of their formation during the period of their functioning within the surface soil, using the case of the Razduv object of the end of the Sartan cryochron (corresponding to MIS-2) in the basin of Nadym River (West Siberia). Important comment: In this paper the terms “humus”, “humus component of soils” and the “system of humus substances” are used as synonyms. Location and time of the study. The research was conducted in the Nadym district of the Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Okrug (YaNAO), at the Razduv site 15 km to the north-east of the Nadym city, during the late summer 2018. Methods: The study is based on a new methodological approach to the diagnostics of the bioclimatic conditions at the end of Sartanian cryochron in one of the northern territories of West Siberia, based on the humus substances of pedosediments which serve as indicators of paleoenvironment. Main results. It was established that the applied indicator features of the formation conditions of the studied pedosediments, based on indicators of the composition and spectral properties of their humus component, correlated well with each other, in their totality reflecting the cold humid conditions of soil formation, similar to those for modern soils of different tundra subzones of the West Siberia. Conclusions. The study of the specific features of composition, structure and properties of humus substances from the pedosediments in the pseudomorphs after polygonal ice wedges, dated back to the end of the Sartanian cryochron at the key section of Razduv and revealing the indicators of their formation conditions, demonstrated that the characteristics of the humus substances system and in particular one of its components, i.e. humic acids, obtained by independent methods, have high diagnostic significance for reconstructing paleoclimatic and paleoecological conditions of their formation. Characteristics of modern soils and paleosols from various parts of North Siberia, from northern Trans-Urals to the coastal lowlands in the north of Yakutia, were used as a recent reference dataset for diagnostics and reconstruction of the bioclimatic conditions of paleosol development on the land surface during MIS 2. It was confirmed that the studied samples, attributed to redeposited soil materials, i.e. pedosediments, due to their morphology in fact had undergone the phase of pedogenesis that is evidenced by the presence of humus substances, including humic acids with their typical outline of FTIR-spectra with a characteristic set of the absorption bands, individual ratio of the main structural elements and similar variation of the quantitative parameters of the fluorescence emission. The closest similarity of the composition and proportion of the main components of the humus substances system was found between the samples of the Sartanian pedosediments and the modern soils formed in the tundra conditions of West Siberia. The similarity of the main humus substances ratio, as well as the main structure-forming elements and values of all fluorescence characteristics of humic acids, especially for the samples with higher humus content and those affected by permafrost, was revealed. These results confirm that at the end of the Sartanian cryochron the pedogenesis in the vicinities of Razduv section was similar to that is now going on in the region located to the north of the study site.

Unveiling a hidden fortification system at “Faraglioni” Middle Bronze Age Village of Ustica Island (Palermo, Italy) through ERT and GPR prospections

We carried out a geophysical research project in the Middle Bronze Age village of Ustica (Palermo, Sicily, Italy), named “Faraglioni Village” after the stack formations which detach from the coast north of the archaeological site. The investigation, which comprised Electrical Resistivity Tomography (ERT) and Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) techniques, allowed us to discover the buried foundations of an outwork fortification system never evidenced by previous archaeological studies, only hypothesised from the observation of aerial photography and partially outcropping boulders, which align roughly parallel to the main defensive wall of the Village.Our geophysical prospection involved the entire 250 m-long arc of the outward village defensive wall, with the acquisition of eleven ERT profiles and 27 GPR scans. The techniques were selected based on both favourable logistics and methods applicability: ERT sections allowed us to trace a series of high-resistivity anomalies arranged to form an arc-shaped structure along the perimeter of the defensive wall. GPR investigation was localised in the most accommodating patch of terrain of the site, with the effort of intercepting clear enough sections of the target, to determine more accurately its shape, depth, and overall dimensions. Our discovery paves the way for new investigations, mainly aimed at defining the timing of construction of the fortification system, as well as the function of the remains of other architectural structures identified close to the wall, which could represent the target of further geophysical investigations.

U.S. Study to Protect Brain Health Through Lifestyle Intervention to Reduce Risk (U.S. POINTER): Baseline Characteristics of a Trial Cohort Enriched for Risk of Cognitive Decline

AbstractBackgroundU.S. POINTER is a two‐year clinical trial to evaluate whether lifestyle interventions targeting multiple risk factors protect cognitive function in older adults at increased risk for cognitive decline. We describe the baseline characteristics of the U.S. POINTER clinical trial cohort overall, and before and after changes in risk factor enrichment inclusion criteria.MethodU.S. POINTER is a Phase 3, multicenter, randomized 2‐year clinical trial of two lifestyle interventions varying in intensity and format, in older adults at increased risk for cognitive decline and dementia. The study closed enrollment with 2111 individuals at 5 sites (North Carolina, Northern California, Chicagoland, Houston, Rhode Island). Eligible participants were sedentary and consumed a suboptimum diet and met other risk enrichment criteria that included first degree family history of memory impairment, and suboptimum cardiovascular health status (meeting specific cut‐points of systolic blood pressure, LDL cholesterol or hemoglobin A1c). 20 months into enrollment, risk enrichment criteria were revised to account for two other factors: older age (70‐79 years), and African American/Black or Native American race or Hispanic/Latine ethnicity.ResultMean age at baseline is 68.2 years, 31% represent communities of color, 69% are women, and 30% are not college graduates. 58% reported maternal memory loss, mean systolic blood pressure = 131 mmHg, mean total cholesterol = 193 mg/dl, mean HbA1C = 5.9%, and mean body mass index (BMI) = 29.9 kg/m2. Mean adjusted modified Telephone Interview for Cognitive Status (TICSm) score is = 37.6 (max = 50 pts), Geriatric Depression Score (GDS) is = 1.8, and Short Physical Performance Battery Chair Stand Score (SPBC) is = 3.3. Some baseline characteristics (BMI, total cholesterol, SBBP chair stand) vary by clinical site. The change to risk score enrichment criteria (Table 1) increased representation of participants from communities of color and number of males in the study cohort.ConclusionU.S. POINTER successfully enrolled 2111 participants across 5 sites who are at high risk for cognitive decline and dementia, with appropriate representation by groups typically underrepresented in clinical trials, individuals aged 75 or older, and men, with the expansion of risk score enrichment criteria.

Preparing Maps of the Distribution of Organic Matter and Calcium Carbonate in Northern Iraq

The study area was chosen within the agricultural lands in the north of Kirkuk governorate to prepare a map of organic matter and calcium carbonate content. It identified three sites in Kalwor, Shwan, and Altun Kupri and collected 20 representative surface samples of the soil of agricultural lands in these sites. The maps were prepared in a software environment Arc GIS. 20 surface samples of soil from sites north of Kirkuk were chosen, representative of the nature of land uses, including field crops, rangeland, and barren soils, to study the spatial variations of some chemical soil characteristics of Kirkuk Governorate. The results revealed the nature of spatial variations in the content of organic matter, as it ranged between (0.58-19.54) g kg-1, where the highest value was reached in ton coopers in lands exploited by growing field crops represented by corn, while the calcium carbonate content ranged between (208-365) g kg-1. In conclusion, moderate organic matter content was dominant, specifically in exploited agricultural lands that follow a good soil management system, while the very abundant and plentiful variety was in lands that were not agriculturally exploited. The very high content of calcium carbonate is prevalent in most of the lands of the study area, which need agricultural land management, especially because they suffer from a specific factor, which is the high content of calcium carbonate, and in the future, it may lead to desertification of these lands.

Racial and Ethnic Residential Segregation and Monocyte DNA Methylation Age Acceleration

Neighborhood segregation and poverty may be important drivers of health inequities. Epigenomic factors, including DNA methylation clocks that may mark underlying biological aging, have been implicated in the link between social factors and health. To examine the associations of neighborhood segregation and poverty with 4 DNA methylation clocks trained to capture either chronological age or physiological dysregulation. This cohort study uses data from the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA), a longitudinal study that started in 2000 to 2002, with follow-up in 2002 to 2004, 2004 to 2005, 2005 to 2007, and 2010 to 2012. In 2000 to 2002, adults who identified as White or Black race or Hispanic or Chinese ethnicity in 6 US sites (Baltimore, Maryland; Chicago, Illinois; Forsyth County, North Carolina; Los Angeles County, California; Northern Manhattan, New York; and St. Paul, Minnesota) were sampled for recruitment. A random subsample of 4 sites (Maryland, North Carolina, New York, and Minnesota) were selected for inclusion in the MESA epigenomics ancillary study at examination 5 (2010-2012). Participants who identified as White or Black race or Hispanic ethnicity, were aged 45 to 84 years, and did not have clinical cardiovascular disease were included in this analysis. Data were analyzed from May 2021 to October 2023. Information on 2000 census tract poverty and Getis-Ord G statistic segregation of Hispanic residents, non-Hispanic Black residents, or non-Hispanic White residents were linked to participant addresses at examination 1 (2000-2002). At examination 5, DNA methylation was measured in purified monocytes. DNA methylation age acceleration was calculated using 4 clocks trained on either chronological age or physiological dysregulation. Linear regressions were used to test associations. A total of 1102 participants (mean [SD] age, 69.7 [9.4] years; 562 [51%] women) were included, with 348 Hispanic participants, 222 non-Hispanic Black participants, and 533 non-Hispanic White participants. For non-Hispanic Black participants, living in tracts with greater segregation of Black residents was associated with GrimAge DNA methylation age acceleration, a clock designed to capture physiological dysregulation. A 1-SD increase in segregation was associated with 0.42 (95% CI, 0.20-0.64) years age acceleration (P < .001); this association was not observed with other clocks. This association was particularly pronounced for participants living in high poverty tracts (interaction term, 0.24; 95% CI, 0.07-0.42; P = .006). In the overall sample, census tract poverty level was associated with GrimAge DNA methylation age acceleration (β = 0.45; 95% CI, 0.20-0.71; adjusted P = .005). These findings suggest that epigenomic mechanisms may play a role in the associations of segregated and poor neighborhoods with chronic conditions.

Assessment of trace metal bioaccumulation in Mytilus galloprovincialis of the central Atlantic ocean after installation of treatment sewage facilities

Mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis) are vital to Morocco's artisanal fishermen both nutritionally and economically. This study probed the bioaccumulation of trace metals zinc (Zn), cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu), and lead (Pb) in mussels from three sites north of Agadir: Anza, Aourir, and Imouran. Analyzed using atomic absorption techniques across different seasons, findings indicated variable metal concentrations, with Imouran notably presenting the highest, potentially due to influences from the new wastewater plants of Anza and Aourir. While lead was not detected, cadmium, albeit in lower concentrations, posed potential health concerns upon regular consumption. Individual Mean Bioaccumulation Index (IMBI) demonstrated fluctuations, majorly influenced by Zn, Cd, and Cu levels. These trends in IMBI between 2017 and 2018 for Aourir and Imouran hinted at similar environmental impacts or exposure levels. Despite site differences, Metal Pollution Index (MPI) values consistently pointing to analogous potential toxicity due to metal combinations. Intricate relationships between trace metals and their environmental parameters were evident, with multiple linear regression analysis (MLRA) showcasing differing correlations between variables. These results highlight the nuanced interactions between trace metals and bioaccumulation indices, such as MPI and IMBI. In conclusion, the findings accentuate the imperative of regular coastal water quality checks and effective management strategies to curtail pollutant discharges.

Petrogenesis of magnesian troctolitic granulite clasts from Chang'e -5 drilling sample: Implications for the origin of ejecta material from lunar highlands

The lunar soil collected by the Chang'e-5 (CE-5) mission contains both local materials and components of various sources. The latter could have derived from the excavation of impact craters in the highlands away from the landing site, providing valuable information on the composition of the lunar crust beyond the mare basalts sampled by the CE-5 mission. In this study, we examined the mineralogy and petrology of magnesian troctolitic granulites (or troctolites) recovered in the CE-5 soil. The troctolites exhibit a granoblastic texture but have a finer grain size compared to Apollo granulites, and almost all plagioclase remains unaltered and not converted to maskelynite. The major element composition shows a SiO2 content of 45.4 wt%, CaO of 12 wt%, TiO2 of 0.2 wt%, Th of 0.1 ppm, and an Mg# of 76, lower than those of the Mg troctolitic lunar meteorites NWA 5744 and NWA 10401. The trace element budget indicates that the magnesian troctolites are KREEP-poor, which distinguishes them from the Mg-suite rocks in Apollo samples but is similar to some troctolitic lunar meteorites (NWA 10401). Furthermore, we predict –by using MELTS modeling– a plausible genetic connection between the Mg-suite rocks, and our troctolites, suggesting that the latter may be pristine and formed during a later stage along a fractional crystallization path. This scenario challenges the hybridization model and strengthens the evidence in favour of the fractional crystallization modeling. To ascertain the potential origin crater for the magnesian granulites, a comparative analysis was conducted with NWA 10401. Based on our findings, we propose that the Pythagoras crater, situated north of the CE-5 landing site, is the most probable source of the aforementioned magnesian troctolitic granulites. The ejecta from this crater may have been deposited between the Eratosthenian-aged mare basalts and the Imbrian-aged mare basalts beneath the CE-5 landing site. The KREEP-poor troctolitic granulite in the Chang'e-5 soil could represent paleo-ejecta from Pythagoras crater, excavated by subsequent impacts on the Eratosthenian-aged basalts and delivered them to the CE-5 site. The original location of the Mg troctolitic granulites is inferred to be near-surface, buried by the uppermost crustal rocks (<10 km), which is consistent with its contact with feldspathic impact glass.

Isolation and Identification of Bacteria from Three Geothermal Sites of the Atacama Desert and Their Plant-Beneficial Characteristics.

The Region of Arica and Parinacota (Atacama Desert) offers several unexplored remote sites with unique characteristics that would allow for the formulation of new bioproducts for agriculture. Among them, Jurasi Hot Springs, Polloquere Hot Springs, and Amuyo Lagoons represent a group of open pools fed by thermal water springing from the mountains. Their microbiomes remain unspecified, providing a unique opportunity to characterize the endemic community of these sites and develop new bioproducts for sustainable agriculture. Bacteria were isolated from the sediments of these geothermal sites and characterized by sequencing the 16S rRNA gene, microbiological characterization, and agricultural functional characterization. A total of 57 bacteria were isolated from three geothermal sites north of the Atacama Desert. The sequence analysis showed that the isolates belong to several bacterial genera, including Pantoea, Bacillus, and Pseudomonas, among others. The functional characterization revealed the presence of PGP traits, hydrolytic enzymes, and biocontrol activity against phytopathogenic fungi. These bacteria possess the potential to develop new biobased products for agriculture in arid conditions.

Sonora: The Elusive Site, the Debated Name, and Various Designations

A place named Sonora appears in seventeenth and eighteenth century documents and on later maps. Two sources place this site north of the present-day town of Huépac. Other sources place the site south of Huèpac. All of these sources place it on the east side of the Río Sonora, but use various designations. This paper analyzes documentary, cartographic, and geographic evidence and concludes that there were actually two places named Sonora. One was a relatively late Spanish mining settlement south of Huépac, but on the west side of the river, and known today as San Felipe de Jesús. The other place named Sonora was an ancient Ópata settlement called Sonota located at a spring on the east side of the Río Sonora north of Huépac. Correcting misunderstandings, mispronunciations, misspellings, and differences in Spaniards’ native language fluency over a century point to the river, valley, and state being named after this early site.

Dopamine Transporter Availability in Early Parkinson's Disease is Dependent on Sunlight Exposure.

Preliminary studies suggested seasonality of dopaminergic functioning, but it is unknown whether dopamine transporter (DAT) expression in humans is also dependent on the seasons. We, therefore, investigated seasonal and sunlight-dependent effects on DAT availability in early Parkinson's disease (PD) patients and healthy controls. DAT single-photon emission computed tomography scans (n = 730) were gathered from the Parkinson's Progression Marker Initiative (PPMI) database. We used global horizontal irradiance (GHI) as proxy for sun exposure/month and assessed associations between striatal DAT availability and season (autumn/winter versus spring/summer), GHI and latitude of the PPMI site. In PD patients, DAT availability in the left caudate nucleus was higher in spring/summer (B [standard error (SE)] = 0.05 [0.02], P = 0.03) and positively associated with higher sun exposure (B [SE] = 0.59 [0.22] × 10-3 , P = 0.007). Latitude (in degrees north) of the PPMI site was negatively associated with DAT availability in both PD and healthy controls. Striatal DAT availability may be influenced by daylight exposure. © 2023 The Authors. Movement Disorders published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society.