Tolerance Threshold Research Articles

A review of great ape behavioural responses and their outcomes to anthropogenic landscapes.

Industrial expansion has brought humans and wildlife into closer contact, and added novel, complex dimensions to human-wildlife relationships. The seven great apes (chimpanzee, Bornean orangutan, Sumatran orangutan, Tapanuli orangutan, Eastern gorilla, Western gorilla, bonobo), the closest extant relatives to humans, have experienced substantial population declines resulting from anthropogenic activities. The effect of human activity on great ape behavioural ecology is therefore an emerging field of inquiry in primatology which has historically been minimally considered. This review explores how wild great apes respond behaviourally to human activities and environmental changes, synthesizing current knowledge and addressing potential outcomes and risks. Using precise search criteria, we found 96 studies documenting changes in great ape behaviour in response to human activity, and despite their broad geographic distribution, we found common patterns and responses across species to increasing human influence. Literature documented shifts in existing behaviour (57), the generation of novel behaviours (53) or reported both (15). Forty-three studies (45%) included direct (23) or indirect (20) assessment of the consequences of these behaviours. Only one study modelled a widespread loss of existing behaviours. The majority of studies included chimpanzees (67), followed by orangutans (19) and gorillas (19), and only 2 included bonobos. We found that the most frequently documented drivers of behavioural responses to anthropogenic activity were wide-scale land-use conversions in ape habitats. In response, apes have adopted crop foraging, and altered nesting behaviour, range use, and social strategies. While these responses appear to allow survival in the immediate sense, they may expose individuals to more risks in the long term. Analysis revealed that under many contexts changing great ape behaviour is putting strain on the human-ape relationship, resulting in injury, harassment, and even the killing of apes. We found examples of tolerant relationships between humans and apes shifting towards conflict, potentially worsening the conservation crisis and inviting inquiry into tolerance thresholds among human communities. We emphasize the importance of community-engaged strategies for reducing competition over resources and conclude that great ape behavioural responses to human activity must be interpreted through a locally specific lens.

Evaluation of Salinity Tolerance Threshold of Two Wheat Cultivars Via Photosynthetic Efficiency and Ion Homeostasis

The possible growth and production of wheat have been negatively influenced by salinity stress, which is a critical environmental factor. Therefore, our study aimed to determine the salinity tolerance threshold of two wheat cultivars (Amin and Barzegar) via photochemical efficiency and ion homeostasis under eight salinity levels (0.5, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, and 14 dS m−1) using a completely randomized design with three replicates. Both wheat cultivars experienced a decrease in the investigated leaf area from the 2 dS m−1 salinity level, with the shoot and root dry weight trends remaining unchanged until the 6 dS m−1 level, followed by a change in the shoot and root dry weight trends. Some significant interactions between salinity stress and cultivars were found in photosynthetic pigments and chlorophyll fluorescence parameters. Increasing salinity stress reduced the Fv/Fm, Fv/F0 and YPII in both wheat cultivars. However, a significant increase in non-photochemical quenching (NPQ) was observed as salinity intensity increased. The increase in NPQ was approximately 30% lower in Barzegar than that in Amin under severe stress. The antioxidant enzyme activity, K+ concentration, and K+/Na+ ratio in the cultivar Barzegar were remarkably higher than those in Amin; meanwhile, Amin maintained a higher Na+ concentration under salinity stress. Accordingly, photosynthesis parameters, redox, and ionic homeostasis were observed to be linked with salinity tolerance, and Amin and Barzegar were recognized as the sensitive (salt’s tolerance threshold: 3.67 dS m−1) and tolerant (salt’s tolerance threshold: 7.13 dS m−1) cultivars, respectively. Therefore, some wheat cultivars, such as Barzegar, could manage environmental stress by improving antioxidant enzyme activities, K+ concentration, and the K+/Na+ ratio to maintain a higher tolerance threshold when salinity stress is raised.

RELMβ sets the threshold for microbiome-dependent oral tolerance.

Tolerance to dietary antigens is critical for avoiding deleterious type 2 immune responses resulting in food allergy (FA) and anaphylaxis1,2. However, the mechanisms resulting in both the maintenance and failure of tolerance to food antigens are poorly understood. Here we demonstrate that the goblet-cell-derived resistin-like molecule β (RELMβ)3,4 is a critical regulator of oral tolerance. RELMβ is abundant in the sera of both patients with FA and mouse models of FA. Deletion of RELMβ protects mice from FAand the development of food-antigen-specific IgE and anaphylaxis. RELMβ disrupts food tolerance through the modulation of the gut microbiome and depletion of indole-metabolite-producing Lactobacilli and Alistipes. Tolerance is maintained by the local production of indole derivatives driving FA protective RORγt+ regulatory T (Treg) cells5 through activation of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor. RELMβ antagonism in the peri-weaning period restores oral tolerance and protects genetically prone offspring from developing FA later in life. Together, we show that RELMβ mediates a gut immune-epithelial circuit regulating tolerance to food antigens-a novelmode of innate control of adaptive immunity through microbiome editing-and identify targetable candidates in this circuit for prevention and treatment of FA.

Using machine learning to predict selenium content in crops: Implications for soil health and agricultural land utilization in longevity regions.

Selenium (Se) is an indispensable trace element to human health, yet its biological tolerance threshold is relatively narrow. The potential application of machine learning methods to indirectly predict the Se content in crops across regional areas, thereby validating the reasonableness of soil health thresholds, remains to be explored. This study analyzed the factors influencing Se absorption in crops from longevity regions and employed machine learning models to predict the bioconcentration factor of Se, thereby obtaining selenium content in these crops and ultimately estimated the Se threshold for healthy soils. The results indicated that the Artificial Neural Network (ANN) model demonstrated the best predictive performance for the bioaccumulation factor (BAF) of Se in crops. The maximum permissible concentration of Se in rice was 0.17mg/kg, while the minimum was 0.03mg/kg; for maize, the maximum permissible concentration was 0.25mg/kg, and the minimum was 0.04mg/kg. Approximately 68% of the arable land in the study area was suitable for cultivating Se-rich crops, providing important insights for the optimization of crop cultivation.

Quantification of Soil–Water Erosion Using the RUSLE Method in the Mékrou Watershed (Middle Niger River)

Despite nearly a century of research on water-related issues, water erosion remains one of the greatest threats to soil health and soil ecosystem services around the world. Yet, to date, data on water erosion needed to develop mitigation strategies are scarce, especially in the Sahelian regions. The current study therefore sets out to estimate annual soil losses caused by water erosion and to analyze trends over the period of 1981–2020 in the Mékrou watershed, located in the Middle Niger river sub-basin in West Africa. The Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation, remote sensing, and the Geographic Information System (GIS) were deployed in this study. Several types of data were used, including rainfall data, sourced from meteorological stations and reanalysis datasets, which capture the temporal variability of erosive forces. Soil properties, including texture and organic matter content, were derived from FAO global soil databases to assess soil erodibility. High-resolution digital elevation models (30 m) provided detailed topographic information, crucial for calculating slope length and steepness factors. Land use and land cover data were extracted from satellite imagery, enabling the analysis of vegetation cover and anthropogenic impacts over four decades. By integrating and treating these data, this study reveals that the estimated average annual amount of water erosion in the Mékrou watershed is 6.49 t/ha/yr over 1981–2020. The dynamics of the ten-year average are highly variable, with a minimum of 3.45 t/ha/yr between 1981 and 1990, and a maximum of 8.50 t/ha/yr between 1991 and 2000. Even though these average soil losses in the Mékrou basin are below the tolerable threshold of 10 t/ha/yr, mitigation actions are needed for prevention. In addition, the spatial dynamics of water erosion are noticeably heterogeneous. The study reveals that 72.7% of the surface area of the Mékrou watershed is subject to slight water erosion below the threshold, compared with 27.3%, particularly in the mountainous south-western part, which is subject to intense erosion above the threshold. This research is the first study of soil erosion quantification with the RUSLE method and GIS in the Mékrou watershed, and fills a critical knowledge gap of the water erosion in this watershed, providing insights into erosion dynamics and supporting future sustainable land management strategies in vulnerable Sahelian landscapes.

Heat-tolerant subtropical Porites lutea may be better adapted to future climate change than tropical one in the South China Sea.

Coral reefs are degrading at an accelerating rate owing to climate change. Understanding the heat stress tolerance of corals is vital for their sustainability. However, this tolerance varies substantially geographically, and information regarding coral responses across latitudes is lacking. In this study, we conducted a high temperature (34°C) stress experiment on Porites lutea from tropical Xisha Islands (XS) and subtropical Daya Bay (DY) in the South China Sea (SCS). We compared physiological levels, antioxidant activities, and transcriptome sequencing to explore heat tolerance mechanisms and adaptive potential. At 34°C, both XS and DY corals experienced significant bleaching and the physiological/biochemical index decreased, with XS corals exhibiting greater changes than DY corals. Transcriptome analysis revealed that coral hosts respond to heat stress mainly by boosting metabolic activity. The subtle transcriptional responses of zooxanthellae C15 underscored the host's pivotal role in thermal stress responses. DY coral hosts showed lower bleaching, stronger physiological plasticity, and higher temperature tolerance thresholds than XS, indicating superior heat tolerance. This superiority is linked to negative feedback transcriptional regulation strategies, including active environmental stress response and genetic information damage repair. The differences in thermal adaptability between tropical and subtropical P. lutea in the SCS may be attributed to their genetic differences and native habitat environments, suggesting that subtropical P. lutea may have the potential to adapt to future climate change. This study provides novel insights for predicting the fate of corals at different latitudes in terms of global warming and provides instructive guidance for coral reef ecological restoration.

Biodegradation of plasticizers by novel strains of bacteria isolated from plastic waste near Juhu Beach, Mumbai, India

Phthalic acid esters are pivotal plasticizers in various applications, including cosmetics, packaging materials, and medical devices. They have garnered significant attention from the scientific community due to their persistence in ecosystems. The multifaceted aspects of PAEs, encompassing leaching, transformation, and toxicity, underscore their prominence as primary components of anthropogenic waste. In this study, we conducted an extensive investigation to isolate and evaluate bacterial strains with the potential to degrade plasticizers from soil samples collected at JUHU Beach, Mumbai. The degradation capabilities of the isolates were meticulously assessed, and their characterization was performed using established microbiological protocols followed by Sanger dideoxy 16S rRNA sequencing. Four isolates demonstrating notable plasticizer degradation proficiency were subjected to in-depth examinations of their growth dynamics and tolerance thresholds. The biodegradation capabilities of these isolates were evaluated under varying pH, temperature, and plasticizer concentrations. Optimization of degradation rates was achieved through a central composite design experiment. Phenotypic characterization of the isolates was conducted through phylogenetic analysis. The isolates were identified as novel strains belonging to Brevibacillus brevis, Acinetobacter baumannii, Moraxella sp., and Halomonas sp. respectively. The novel isolates were submitted to GenBank with accession numbers OP984197, OQ690115, PP174910, and PP177540 respectively.

An Efficient and Accurate Adaptive Time-Stepping Method for the Landau–Lifshitz Equation

This article presents an efficient and accurate adaptive time-stepping finite difference method (FDM) for solving the Landau–Lifshitz (LL) equation, which is an important mathematical model in understanding magnetic materials and processes. Our proposed algorithm strategically selects an adaptive time step, ensuring that the maximum displacement falls within a predefined tolerance threshold. Furthermore, this adaptive approach allows the utilization of larger time steps near equilibrium states and results in faster computations. For example, we introduce a numerical test where the adaptive time step decreases from 3.05×10−7 to 3.52×10−9. If a uniform time step is applied, around a 100 times smaller time step must be applied at unnecessary cases. To demonstrate the high performance of our proposed algorithm, we conduct several characteristic benchmark tests. The computational results confirm that the proposed algorithm is efficient and accurate. Overall, our adaptive time-stepping FDM offers a promising solution for accurately and efficiently solving the LL equation and contributes to advancements in the understanding and analysis of magnetic phenomena.

Multifaceted Responses to Heat Stress in Plants: A Review of the Morpho-physiological, Biochemical and Anatomical Changes

Heat stress, a significant abiotic factor, adversely affects plant growth and productivity by disrupting various physiological and biochemical processes. Plants, being immobile, respond to environmental changes through alterations in gene expression, metabolism, and growth dynamics. Elevated temperatures, exceeding the threshold for heat tolerance, negatively influence critical functions such as photosynthesis, respiration, water balance, and membrane stability. Root development is particularly sensitive to heat stress, resulting in reduced root mass and impaired water and nutrient uptake. Photosynthetic capacity diminishes due to decreased chlorophyll content and impaired photochemical reactions, leading to reduced biomass and yield. Heat stress impacts plant water status by disturbing hydraulic conductivity and increasing membrane permeability, leading to dehydration and a decline in water potential. This stress reduces membrane stability, resulting in electrolyte leakage and cellular damage. It also induces the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which requires the activation of antioxidant enzymes to minimize oxidative stress. Also, to maintain osmotic balance and enhance stress tolerance, plants accumulate osmolytes such as proline. Additionally, anatomical adaptations in leaves, stems, and roots, such as changes in stomatal density, xylem vessel size, and gas exchange patterns, highlight the plant's strategies to cope with heat stress. Understanding these varied responses is crucial for developing strategies to enhance crop resilience in the face of increasing global temperatures and climate change.

Seasonal changes in coral thermal threshold suggest species-specific strategies for coping with temperature variations

Coral thermotolerance research has focused on the ability of coral holobionts to maximize withstanding thermal stress exposure. Yet, it’s unclear whether thermal thresholds adjust across seasons or remain constant for a given species and location. Here, we assessed the thermal tolerance thresholds over time spanning the annual temperature variation in the Red Sea for Pocillopora verrucosa and Acropora spp. colonies. Utilizing the Coral Bleaching Automated Stress System (CBASS), we conducted standardized acute thermal assays by exposing corals to a range of temperatures (30 to 39 °C) and measuring their photosynthetic efficiency (Fv/Fm). Our results reveal species-specific thermal tolerance patterns. P. verrucosa exhibited significant seasonal changes in their thermal thresholds of around 3 °C, while Acropora spp. remained rather stable, showing changes of around 1 °C between seasons. Our work shows that thermal thresholds can vary with seasonal temperature fluctuations, suggesting that coral species may acclimate to these natural temperature hanges over short periods in a species-specific manner.

Effect of Adaptation to High Concentrations of Cadmium on Soil Phytoremediation Potential of the Middle European Ecotype of a Cosmopolitan Cadmium Hyperaccumulator Solanum nigrum L.

The Cd hyperaccumulator Solanum nigrum L. exhibits a cosmopolitan character and proven high and differentiated efficiency. This suggests the possibility of optimizing its Cd phytoremediation capacity and applicability through searching among remote ecotypes/genotypes. However, the extensive studies on this hyperaccumulator have been limited to Far East (Asian) regions. Pioneer pot experiments on the Middle European ecotype of S. nigrum within a concentration range of 0–50 mg kg−1 Cd in soil revealed its Cd phytoremediation capacity to be comparable to Asian ecotypes but with a fundamentally different Cd tolerance threshold. While biomass of the Asian ecotypes declined sharply at Csoil ≈ 10 mg kg−1 Cd, in the Middle European ecotype, a gradual mild biomass decrease occurred within the whole Csoil ≈ 0–50 mg kg−1 Cd range with no toxic symptoms. Its adapted A50 variety was obtained from the seeds of first-generation plants grown in soil with Csoil ≈ 50 mg kg−1 Cd. In this variety, Cd tolerance, accumulation performance, and all physiological parameters (chlorophyll, carotenoids, RuBisCO, and first- and second-line defense anti-oxidant activity) were significantly enhanced, while cell damage by ROS was considerably lesser. This makes the Middle European ecotype and its adapted variety A50 particularly useful to sustainable decontamination of heavily polluted “hot spots” in degraded post-industrial areas.

Climate warming drives population trajectories of freshwater fish

Climate change has emerged as a key threat to biodiversity, leading to broad-scale shifts in distributions of marine and terrestrial species as they attempt to track thermally suitable habitat. By contrast, our understanding of climate responses of freshwater species is relatively undeveloped, limiting our knowledge of whether projected warming will lead to freshwater biodiversity loss. Here, we linked a multicontinental database of riverine fish population abundance time series collected from 1958 to 2019 to temperature data from the same period. Across the sampled localities, waters warmed by 0.21 °C per decade (annual maximum of monthly temperatures). We tested whether fish responded to this change by i) increasing abundance at the cooler poleward limit of species distributions-predicted if warming has opened new opportunities-and ii) decreasing abundance toward the equatorward limit of distributions-predicted if temperatures have exceeded tolerance thresholds. We found that observed population trends were consistent with both of these expected patterns from climatic warming and that the trends were more pronounced in time series covering the longer time periods of 30+ y. The responses consistent with climate change were most evident in species with larger body sizes, higher trophic levels, river-sea migratory behavior, and more widespread distributions. Moreover, positive abundance responses to warming were more likely at higher altitudes where conditions tend to be cooler. These findings indicate that projected future warming will likely lead to widespread shifts in riverine community structure, including abundance declines at the trailing edge of species distributions.

Person‐Organization (Mis)fit: The Experience of Furlough as Career Shock

ABSTRACTThis study examines employees' experience of being furloughed as a career shock drawing on person‐organization (P–O) fit theory. We focus on the UK's Covid‐19 furlough scheme and the experiences of 23 employees from different sectors following the scheme's termination. Findings from qualitative interviews support the value of misfit to understanding career shocks. Furloughed employees perceived change to their person‐organization fit, and more specifically misfit relating to personal needs (for security, growth and support) versus supplies, and demands (increased responsibilities, lack of retraining upon resuming work) versus skills, where such misfit was attributed to furlough being a career shock and triggering career‐related thoughts and behaviors. Organizational communication and topping‐up furloughed workers' lost monthly income buffered the extent furlough resulted in misfit. Tolerance threshold and perceived employability were found to explain the likelihood of career transitions for furloughed workers reporting misfit. Our findings contribute to the emerging career shocks literature by identifying P–O misfit as a mechanism explaining career transitions.

Health risk assessment using Monte-Carlo simulations due to arsenic contamination in groundwater in Punjab.

Groundwater contamination is a major environmental concern in many regions of India, including several districts of Punjab. In this study, a comparison is carried out between the deterministic and probabilistic approaches for calculating health hazard parameters due to arsenic contamination in groundwater in India. The probabilistic calculations are carried out through Monte-Carlo simulations to quantify the hazard index (HI) and carcinogenic risk. Sensitivity analysis is carried out to determine the contribution of input variables to the HI. From the deterministic and probabilistic approach, an HI greater than one is obtained in adults for all districts except Moga, whereas, for children, the HI is greater than 1 in all districts. This suggests a higher probability of risks, such as developmental problems and cardiovascular disorders. Excess lifetime carcinogenic risk, a measure of carcinogenic risk, is found above the US Environmental Protection Agency's recommended range of 1 × 10-6 to 1 × 10-4 in all districts. These values clearly indicate the long-term carcinogenic danger associated with arsenic exposure since they are far above the tolerable risk threshold of 1 × 10-4. Thus, necessary mitigation measures should be taken, and routine groundwater monitoring should be performed.

Investigation on the Distribution of Bangana Tungting in Yuanshui Unique Fish Species National Aquatic Germplasm Resources Reserve Using Environmental DNA Technology.

Freshwater ecosystems face unprecedented challenges as the cumulative impact of human activities intensifies. While protected areas and species-specific conservation policies are widely implemented, their effectiveness remains difficult to gauge using traditional catch-based surveys. This research employed environmental DNA (eDNA) technology to assess the distribution of the endangered fish, Bangana tungting, within the Yuanshui Unique Fish Species National Aquatic Germplasm Resources Reserve (YUFRR) in Hunan, China. Over a 2-year period, we conducted comprehensive eDNA survey multiple sites within the YUFRR, confirming the species' continued existence in the area. In September 2022, B. tungting eDNA was detected at 8 of 60 sampling locations, while a follow-up survey in May 2023 identified its presence at 4 of 44 sites. Further analysis revealed critical environmental factors influencing B. tungting distribution, primarily dissolved oxygen concentration and the presence of physical barriers such as hydroelectric stations. Our data suggest a minimum dissolved oxygen tolerance threshold of 4 mg/L for this species. Moreover, we observed an inverse relationship between B. tungting detection rates and both the number of hydroelectric stations and their distance to sampling sites. This case study demonstrates the effectiveness of eDNA technology in mapping the distribution of endangered fish species like B. tungting and guiding conservation strategies. Our findings emphasize the crucial need to enhance environmental conditions, particularly water quality and habitat suitability, to ensure the effective conservation of B. tungting within the YUFRR.

Amorphous pectin/calcium magnesium carbonate @ konjac glucomannan for recovery phosphate from aqueous

To safeguard water quality and sustainable phosphorus cycling, it is imperative to recover phosphorus from high-content wastewater, particularly livestock wastewater, considering the low tolerance threshold for phosphate in surface water (below 0.5mg/L). Calcium carbonate and magnesium carbonate possess considerable potential for phosphate adsorption; however, their crystalline nature diminishes the reactivity of calcium and magnesium, resulting in the limited phosphate adsorption capacity. In this study, a novel phosphate adsorbent (PCCM@K) was synthesized through co-precipitation involving Ca, Mg, and pectin, followed by direct coating with konjac glucomannan, which eliminated the need for separation and cleaning steps. Pectin macromolecules interact with Ca and Mg to yield amorphous minerals, thereby enhancing the pore structure. The assessment of the phosphate adsorption performance of PCCM@K reveals robust alkali release, stable adsorption across a broad pH range (3-12), high adsorption capacity (61.9 mg-P/g), minimal interference from coexisting ions, and effective phosphate recovery in the actual biogas slurry. The primary mechanism underlying phosphate adsorption is chemisorption. During the adsorption process, ligand exchange takes place between carbonate and phosphate, leading to an increase in solution pH and the immobilization of phosphate via inner-sphere complexation with Ca and Mg. Overall, PCCM@K exhibits considerable potential for phosphorus recovery from wastewater, highlighting its significance in promoting environmentally sustainable practices.

High one-hour plasma glucose is an intermediate risk state and an early predictor of type 2 diabetes in a longitudinal Korean cohort

AimsBecause one-hour post-load plasma glucose (1 h-PG) ≥ 155 mg/dL (8.6 mmol/L) has been proposed as an early marker for future diabetes but lacks sufficient longitudinal confirmation of its risk, we aimed to evaluate the risk of T2D based on 1 h-PG and track changes of insulin sensitivity and β-cell function over time by 1 h-PG in a longitudinal cohort. MethodsOGTTs were conducted every 2 years in the 10-year longitudinal Korean Genome Epidemiology study (n = 6144) with three groups characterized at baseline: Low 1 h-PG (< 155 mg/dL) with Normal Glucose Tolerance (NGT), High 1 h-PG (≥155 mg/dL) with NGT, and prediabetes (PreDM). ResultsT2D risk was higher in people with High 1 h-PG with NGT and PreDM than those with Low 1 h-PG with NGT. Baseline insulin sensitivity in Low 1 h-PG as measured by the insulin sensitivity and secretion (ISS) model and Matsuda insulin sensitivity index (ISI) was higher than in High 1 h-PG, which was comparable to PreDM. β-cell function as assessed by ISS and the insulinogenic index decreased from Low 1 h-PG to High 1 h-PG to PreDM. Over time, insulin sensitivity decreased in the three groups. Time from High 1 h-PG to T2D was 0.9 years shorter than from Low 1 h-PG. All participants passed the 1 h-PG threshold for T2D (209 mg/dL, 11.6 mmol/L) first, and 74 % passed the 1 h-PG threshold for impaired glucose tolerance (IGT; 155 mg/dL) first. ConclusionsHigh 1 h-PG NGT is an intermediate risk category between Low 1 h-PG NGT and PreDM and may provide an opportunity for early intervention to prese rve ß-cell function.

Effects of spot size errors in DynamicARC pencil beam scanning proton therapy planning

Objective.Spot size stability is crucial in pencil beam scanning (PBS) proton therapy, and variations in spot size can disrupt dose distributions. Recently, a novel proton beam delivery method known as DynamicARC PBS scanning has been introduced. The current study investigates the dosimetric impact of spot size errors in DynamicARC proton therapy for head and neck (HNC), prostate, and lung cancers.Approach.Robustly optimized DynamicARC proton therapy plans were created for HNC (n= 4), prostate (n= 4), and lung (n= 4) cancer patients. Spot size errors of ±10%, ±15%, and ±20% were introduced, and their effects on target coverage (D95%andD99%), homogeneity index (HI), and organ-at-risk doses were analyzed across different cancer sites.Main Results.HNC and lung cancer plans showed greater vulnerability to spot size errors, with reductions in target coverage of up to 4.8% under -20% spot size errors. Dose homogeneity was also more affected in these cases, with HI degrading by 0.12 in lung cancer. Prostate cancer demonstrated greater resilience to spot size variations, even under errors of ±20%. For spot size errors ±10%, the oral cavity, parotid glands, and constrictor muscles experiencedDmeandeviations within ±1.2%, while deviations were limited to ±0.5% forD10%of the bladder and rectum and ±0.3% forV20 Gy(RBE)of the lungs. The robustness analysis indicated that lung cancer plans were most susceptible to robustness reductions caused by spot size errors, while HNC plans demonstrated moderate sensitivity. Conversely, prostate cancer plans demonstrated high robustness, experiencing only minimal reductions in target coverage.Significance.While the ±10% spot size tolerance is appropriate in majority of the cases, lung cancer plans may require more stringent criteria. As DynamicARC becomes clinically available, measuring spot size errors in practice will be essential to validate these findings and refine tolerance thresholds for clinical use.

Development of a Baltimore (MD) population of Calliphora vicina (Diptera: Calliphoridae) reared at several temperatures and estimations of developmental limits and thresholds.

Developmental data for necrophagous Diptera are frequently used in medico-legal investigations to estimate portions of the postmortem interval and interpret periods of insect activity. These applications require baseline developmental data for local populations from geographic locations of interest. For the widely distributed blow fly Calliphora vicina Robineau-Desvoidy (Diptera: Calliphoridae), detailed developmental data does not exist for many locations in the mid-Atlantic region of the United States. This study examined development of C. vicina collected from a large, metropolitan city (Baltimore) in Maryland utilizing 11 ambient temperatures. The developmental threshold and thermal range of growth and tolerance were also estimated, as well as critical thermal minima and maxima based on thermal injury. For this population, linear growth was observed between 10°C and 25°C, whereas flies failed to complete development at temperatures below 7°C or above 28°C. Growth at low temperatures was not curvilinear, which contrasts with other developmental studies using C. vicina and other calliphorids. The lower developmental threshold was estimated to be 5.9°C and corresponds closely with experimental observations. The implications of these result in reference to phenotypic plasticity in populations of C. vicina and applications in forensic entomology are discussed.

Exploring the Correlation Between Salt Tolerance and Seed Nutritional Value of Different Quinoa Genotypes Grown Under Saharan Climatic Conditions.

Quinoa is an annual pseudocereal highly adapted to extreme environments and has become, at this point in time, an extremely popular food due to its exceptional and high nutritional quality. This study aims to investigate the association of quinoa salt tolerance at an early developmental stage with its grain nutritional value under the effect of severe climatic hurdles. The current findings revealed a significant variability between genotypes in salt response attributes at the first development stage, where genotypes Amarilla Sacaca (thereafter, A. Sacaca) and QQ57 exhibited high salt tolerance thresholds with a low salt sensitivity index (SI), and a high capacity for Na+ sequestration into vacuoles. A significant positive association was detected between salt tolerance degree and yield parameters, saponins (SAPs), and minerals contents, where genotype A. Sacaca exhibited the highest SAP content with 3.84 mg.g-1 and the highest amounts of K, Ca, P, and Fe. The analysis of fatty acid composition demonstrated a high significant negative correlation between crude fat content and salt SI, and between yield parameters. Despite its low harvest index (HI) and low seed oil content, the salt-tolerant genotype A. Sacaca showed a high nutritional quality for seed oil according to its lowest ω6/ω3 ratio (5.6/1) and lowest level of atherogenicity index (AI). The genotype 115R, defined as the most sensitive to salt stress, exhibited a high seed oil quality due to its low lipid peroxidation susceptibility as reflected by its oxidative susceptibility and peroxidizability indexes. The significance of this study includes the identification of valuable quinoa genotypes showing high efficiency in growth and yield under severe stress accompanied by a high nutritional value satisfying the market requirements for healthy, nutritious, and safe food products.