Variation Of Constituents Research Articles

Spatial variability, source identification, and partitioning of groundwater constituents in a typical lakeside plain on Yungui Plateau

The fragile ecological balance of lakeside plains on plateau makes groundwater hydrochemical composition highly susceptible to human disturbances. This research investigates a typical plain on Yunnan Plateau to quantitatively identify the potential sources of groundwater pollution in lakeside plains on plateau by combining receptor models with risk assessment models. Receptor models show there are three potential pollution sources for groundwater including water-rock interactions, agricultural pollution, and domestic sewage/manure discharge. Groundwater hydrochemical composition is predominantly shaped by natural water-rock interactions, accounting for an average of 50.12 % of the influence. This is followed by agricultural non-point source pollution, which contributes 10.79 %, and the discharge of domestic sewage and manure, which accounts for 10.61 %. Groundwater in the current plain could pose a minor non-carcinogenic risk for long-term drinking, with the total hazard index (THI) for adults varying between 0.015 and 1.089, and for children between 0.024 and 1.737. Notably, 4.35 % of groundwater samples have a THI exceeding the safe threshold of 1. NO3- (72 %) is the primary contributor to non-carcinogenic risks, accounting for 72 %, trailed by Mn (13 %), NH4+ (9 %), Fe (6 %) and NO2- (1 %). The non-carcinogenic risks are predominantly attributed to agricultural non-point source pollution (71.6 %) and the discharge of domestic sewage and manure (26.9 %). A conceptual model has been developed to encapsulate the dynamics of groundwater quality formation in lakeside plains on plateau. This research will aid residents in safeguarding against groundwater contamination and enhancing agricultural practices in present plain and similar lakeside plain worldwide.

Determination of biogeochemical properties in sea waters using the inversion of the three-stream irradiance model

Inversion models, in the context of oceanography, relate the observed ocean color to the concentrations of the different biogeochemical components present in the water of the ocean. However, building accurate inversion models can be quite complex due to the many factors that can influence the observed ocean color, such as variations in the composition or the optical properties of biogeochemical products. Here we assess the feasibility of the inversion approach, by implementing the three-stream light inversion model in a one-dimensional water column configuration, represented at the BOUSSOLE site in the northwestern Mediterranean Sea. Moreover, we provide a comprehensive sensitivity analysis of the model’s skill by perturbing the parameters of the bio-optical properties and phytoplankton physiology. Analysis of the inversion indicates that the model is able to reconstruct the variability of the optical constituents. Results indicate that chlorophyll-a and coloured dissolved organic matter play a major role in light modulation. The sensitivity analysis shows that the parameterization of the ratio of chlorophyll-a to carbon is important for the performance of the inversion model. A coherent inversion model, as presented, can be used as an observational operator to assimilate remote sensing reflectance.

A systematic review exploring the variation in the compositional make‐up and phytochemical constituents of wheatgrass and pulse microgreens as a function of diverse growing condition

AbstractThe wheatgrass and pulse microgreens have gained popularity for their concentrated phytochemical content. However, the variability in growth parameters and compositional constituents of wheatgrass and pulse microgreens is dependent on the prevailing environmental conditions. Nowadays, wheatgrass and pulse microgreens are used as culinary sources or incorporated into various food products and consumed by a large proportion of the global population. Therefore, it is necessary to review the impact of growth conditions to meet the increased demand. This will allow breeders to adjust their cultivation techniques according to consumer preferences for specific nutritional components. This systematic review seeks to provide an analysis of the available literature on the variation in growth and compositions of wheatgrass and pulse microgreens as the influence of diverse growing conditions. The growth of wheatgrass and pulse microgreens can be influenced by a range of growth conditions, such as variations in light intensity, temperature, nutrient availability, and cultivation techniques. The variation in growth and compositional components, in terms of proximate composition and certain constituents such as chlorophyll, antioxidants, minerals, phenolic compounds, and secondary metabolites, is discussed in relation to the changing cultivation parameters as published in recent studies. However, this review only covers the compositional make‐up of wheatgrass and pulse microgreens. There remains a need to summarize the compositional profiles of other microgreen species under various conditions. Ultimately, this review illuminates the promise of emerging superfoods and underscores how their growth and composition can vary depending on cultivation methods, ultimately impacting their capacity to promote health. In addition, there is a need to establish dose–response relationships to address various diseases. Therefore, additional research may be warranted.

Variability in Constituents of E-Cigarette Products Containing Nicotine Analogues

This study characterizes and quantifies constituents in 2 e-cigarette products to assess product consistency and inform future risk assessments.

Vested Interest Theory as a Framework for Understanding Anthropogenic Climate Change Risk Perceptions

ABSTRACT Climate change due to anthropogenic activities is contributing to the systematic warming of Earth. A warming planet represents an existential threat to humanity, contributing to the increased frequency and magnitude of multiple natural hazards. The UN’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) notes that time is running out to create meaningful change to avert climate-related consequences. This research posits Vested Interest Theory (VIT) as a potentially useful framework for assessing attitudes and risk perceptions associated with anthropogenic climate change (ACC). Vested Interest Theory mediates the attitude-behavior relationship where highly vested individuals are more likely to behave in attitudinally-consistent ways. Vestedness is conceptualized as five distinct and observable variables: salience, certainty, immediacy, self-efficacy, and response-efficacy. To test VIT’s efficacy in this context, a survey was conducted with participants crowdsourced from Amazon’s Mechanical Turk platform (N = 1053). Participants responded to items designed to measure their individual vestedness in ACC consequences, risk perceptions, and behavioral intentions. This initial investigation shows that VIT’s constituent variables predict consequential amounts of observed variance in critical variables including risk perception, perceived event severity, and behavioral intentions related to ACC hazard mitigation. The results support the use of VIT as a framework for understanding attitude-behavior relationships associated with ACC mitigation. Based on these findings, we argue that VIT can also serve as a valuable message design framework to motivate ACC-related mitigation actions.

Major Trauma Triage Tool Study (MATTS) expert consensus-derived injury assessment tool.

Major trauma centre (MTC) care has been associated with improved outcomes for injured patients. English ambulance services and trauma networks currently use a range of triage tools to select patients for bypass to MTCs. A standardised national triage tool may improve triage accuracy, cost-effectiveness and the reproducibility of decision-making. We conducted an expert consensus process to derive and develop a major trauma triage tool for use in English trauma networks. A web-based Delphi survey was conducted to identify and confirm candidate triage tool predictors of major trauma. Facilitated roundtable consensus meetings were convened to confirm the proposed triage tool's purpose, target diagnostic threshold, scope, intended population and structure, as well as the individual triage tool predictors and cut points. Public and patient involvement (PPI) focus groups were held to ensure triage tool acceptability to service users. The Delphi survey reached consensus on nine triage variables in two domains, from 109 candidate variables after three rounds. Following a review of the relevant evidence during the consensus meetings, iterative rounds of discussion achieved consensus on the following aspects of the triage tool: reference standard, scope, target diagnostic accuracy and intended population. A three-step tool comprising physiology, anatomical injury and clinical judgement domains, with triage variables assessed in parallel, was recommended. The triage tool was received favourably by PPI focus groups. This paper presents a new expert consensus derived major trauma triage tool with defined purpose, scope, intended population, structure, constituent variables, variable definitions and thresholds. Prospective evaluation is required to determine clinical and cost-effectiveness, acceptability and usability.

A principal component analysis of sustainable building construction features for project delivery in South Africa

Purpose Successful project delivery for sustainable building construction (SBC) has been linked to certain features. Previous studies have emphasised the need to improve SBC practice in South Africa. The purpose of this study is to explore the SBC features for project delivery in South Africa. Design/methodology/approach A structured questionnaire elicited the primary data from 281 built environment professionals, mainly in South Africa’s Gauteng province. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used for the data analysis. This study used the principal component analysis technique to ascertain the principal SBC features. Findings Three components of SBC features, namely, sustainable resource use and compliance, sustainable waste minimisation and recycling and sustainable designs and materials, were developed from the principal component analysis. The factor loadings of the constituent variables ranged from 0.570 to 0.836. The reliability of each component was evaluated, and the results were 0.966, 0.931 and 0.913. Practical implications The revelations from this study will aid the decision-making of the relevant stakeholders towards establishing improvement initiatives and mitigating the reluctance to shift from conventional building methods and poor knowledge sharing of SBC benefits. Originality/value This is one of the most recent South African studies that sheds light on the components of a successful SBC deployment. The findings of this study added to knowledge by confirming three fundamental features of SBC. This study recommends adequately considering the principal features for successful SBC project delivery in South Africa.

Multi-loop active disturbance rejection control and PID control strategy for poultry house based on GA, PSO and GWO algorithms

Maintaining the health and welfare of broilers, besides obtaining and optimizing good performance, are the main objectives of poultry production. In response, climate control remains the most guaranteed strategy for managing livestock successfully. Separate controlling temperature and humidity on the one hand; and contaminant gases on the other was a focus of several investigations. Thus, the particularity of this work which involves the study, analysis, and control of broiler livestock building while taking into account, at the same time, all the system's constituent variables (i.e., temperature, humidity, NH3 and CO2 concentration, air velocity, and differential pressure). In this paper, an Active Disturbance Rejection Control (ADRC) and Proportional Integral Derivative (PID) controllers were designed and combined with a multi-loop approach for a multi-inputs multi-outputs (MIMO) system. Then, Genetic Algorithm (GA), Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO), and Grey Wolf Optimization (GWO) were used to obtain the optimal controllers' parameters employing the reward function, the Integrated Time Absolute Error (ITAE), according to the poultry system requirements. Simulation experiments were carried out using the Matlab Simulink toolbox to verify the effectiveness of all the proposed control methods with the two optimization algorithms regarding stabilization and tracking setpoints. Despite the introduction of several disturbances in the plant model, the PSO-ADRC controller still exhibits notable benefits in terms of rise time, overshoot, settling time, and good disturbance rejection, proving the robustness of the suggested control method.

Emerging trends and spatial shifts of drought potential across global river basins

Droughts have devastating effects on various sectors and are difficult to quantify and track because of the invisible and slow but prevalent propagation. This dilemma is more significant in the case of the complex interactions between land and atmosphere mechanisms, which are inadequately considered in previous drought metrics. Here, we investigate the spatiotemporal variability of the recently devised metric called ‘Drought Potential Index (DPI)’, which incorporates the antecedent land water storage and current precipitation. Using the spatial weighted centroid method, we elucidate the emerging spatial movement of the DPI within 168 major global river basins and analyze its influential factors. Improved drought detection and performance disparity of DPI as compared with multi-scale (i.e., 1, 3, 6, 9, 12-month) Standardized Precipitation Index, ensemble soil moisture anomaly, and Total Storage Deficit Index corroborate the robustness and improved insights of DPI. Higher increasing trends in DPI are detected over dryland basins (0.39 ± 0.43 %/a) than in the humid zones (0.15 ± 0.34 %/a). Six hotspot basins, namely, Don, Yellow, Haihe, Rio Grande, Sao Francisco, and Ganges river basins, are identified with increasing (2.1–3.5%/a) DPI during 2003–2021. The interannual occurrence of the highest DPI, spatial shifts, and relative contribution of DPI's constituent variables correspond well to the climatic and anthropogenic changes in humid and dry land basins. The absolute latitudinal/longitudinal shifts of ∼2° (as high as ∼3.2/4.9°) in DPI in 30% (47 out of 168 basins) of the global basins highlight the need for analyzing the water scarcity problems from both the perspectives of long-term trends and spatial shifts. Our findings provide a global assessment of the spatiotemporal shifts of drought potential and will be beneficial to understanding the anthropogenic and climatic influences on water resource management under a changing environment.

Evaluating dynamics of land water storage and its response to climate variation in the Deccan Plateau, India

Inter-state river water disputes are frequent over the rain shadow (RS) region of the Western Ghats (WG), where the annual rainfall is much lower (75.2 cm) than that of overall India (118 cm). This study investigated the TWS (Terrestrial Water Storage) dynamics of the entire Deccan plateau (DP) and RS regions, located at the leeward side of the WG mountain range, with the help of Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE) based TWS anomalies (TWSA) data. Here, the latest TRMM (Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission) rainfall product was evaluated at different time scales against gauge-based measurements to check its applicability as an alternative to gauge-based observed data. Trends in climate variables and TWSA were estimated to understand their variations during 2003–2016 in both regions. The response of GRACE-based TWSA and its constituent components to rainfall was determined using time-lagged correlation analysis. The contribution of constituent variables to TWSA was estimated using the component contribution ratio (CCR) method. It was observed that the TRMM-3B43 data captured the rainfall pattern over the entire DP with great accuracy. Results showed that the increasing trend of TWS in 2003–2009 had reversed in 2010–2016 due to the reduction of climate moistening in both regions. The warming trend of climate is more than twice in the RS region than that found in the DP, leading to a higher decreasing rate of TWS in this region than in DP. For both DP and RS regions, the time lags of groundwater storage anomalies (GWSA), total runoff anomalies (RA), canopy water storage anomalies (CWSA), and soil moisture storage anomalies (SMSA) to rainfall can be arranged as CWSA ≤ RA ≤ SMSA ≤ GWSA. SMSA and GWSA are the main contributors to the TWSA in both areas. However, SWSA also played a vital role in TWS variability, particularly in the RS region.

Narrow windows of opportunity: the limited utility of cyber operations in war

Abstract The use of offensive cyber operations in war is no longer theoretical conjecture. Still, as we witness their use, important questions remain. How are offensive cyber operations employed in conventional warfighting, and what is their utility for the warfighting? This article answers these questions by analyzing new empirical evidence from the Russo–Ukrainian War, drawing on the novel TECI-model built for systematically analyzing and understanding offensive cyber operations in war through the model’s four constituent variables: target, effect, complexity, and integration. The article finds the utility of cyber operations in war is limited owing to an unsuitability for physical destruction, high risks of failure, high costs of complex operations that are more likely to attain successful and destructive effects, and a dichotomy between the tempi of conventional and cyber operations leading to cross-domain integration difficulties. Still, two narrow windows for achieving utility exist. Cumulative strategic utility is achievable by targeting critical infrastructure and governments in a persistent barrage of less complex cyber operations. Operational and tactical utility is achievable in the beginning of warfighting where the temporal dichotomy is less pronounced because cross-domain integration can be planned before warfighting commences. Filling a gap in the literature, TECI provides a common and operationalized model for future research systematically analyzing cyber operations, allowing for comparisons on the evolving role of cyberspace in war.

Characterizing the most demanding passages of kinematic and mechanical activity in elite football: a multifactorial approach.

This study investigated the 5-minute most demanding passages (MDP) of kinematic (distance covered) and mechanical (acceleration and deceleration) activities in elite male football according to multifactorial criterion performance variables. Global positioning systems data were collected from 39 players across 45 matches in the Swedish first division (n = 329 observations). The multifactorial kinematic variable (MDPk) was composed of the concurrent distances covered at moderate-speed running, high-speed running, and sprinting distances, and the multifactorial mechanical (MDPm) considered the concurrent occurrences of high-intensity acceleration and deceleration activities. A moving average method was used to identify the MDP across a 5-minute period. The frequency distribution of the multifactorial variables, and differences in the time of occurrence and magnitude between multifactorial performance variables and their univariate constituent variables were investigated. Frequency distribution analysis revealed MDPk and MDPm peaked in the first 5 min of the match (MDPk: χ 2 (15, N = 329) = 135.88, p ≤ 0.001, W: 0.64, 115.99 ± 32.7 s; MDPm: χ 2 (15, N = 329) = 31.02, p ≤ 0.001, W: 0.31, 101.21 ± 25.1 s; p ≤ 0.0004). Within each half, differences in the MDP commencement time between the multifactorial variables and their respective discrete univariate constituent variables were trivial to small (MDPk effect size (ES): 0.04-0.21; MDPm ES: 0.02-0.11). Linear mixed model analysis demonstrated that the MDP magnitude of multifactorial variables were approximately 8-28% and 8-21% lower across the match and halves, respectively, compared to the MDP of their respective univariate constituent variables (p ≤ 0.001; r = 0.26-0.62). The greatest differences between the respective multifactorial and discrete constituent variables were observed for sprinting (-28%) and high-intensity acceleration (-22%). The results reveal that the MDP is distinguished based on peak kinematic and mechanical demands, which occur at discrete periods and exhibit distinct locomotor profiles across the match and within each half. Practitioners should consider the methods of identifying the MDP, as the selection of univariate and multifactorial kinematic and mechanical performance variables can impact MDP characterization, which can qualify the designing of bespoke training protocols.

Innovative prognostication: a novel nomogram for post-interventional aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage patients.

Spontaneous aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH) is a common acute cerebrovascular disease characterized by severe illness, high mortality, and potential cognitive and motor impairments. We carried out a retrospective study at Fujian Provincial Hospital to establish and validate a model for forecasting functional outcomes at 6 months in aSAH patients who underwent interventional embolization. 386 aSAH patients who underwent interventional embolization between May 2012 and April 2022 were included in the study. We established a logistic regression model based on independent risk factors associated with 6-month adverse outcomes (modified Rankin Scale Score ≥ 3, mRS). We evaluated the model's performance based on its discrimination, calibration, clinical applicability, and generalization ability. Finally, the study-derived prediction model was also compared with other aSAH prognostic scales and the model's itself constituent variables to assess their respective predictive efficacy. The predictors considered in our study were age, the World Federation of Neurosurgical Societies (WFNS) grade of IV-V, mFisher score of 3-4, secondary cerebral infarction, and first leukocyte counts on admission. Our model demonstrated excellent discrimination in both the modeling and validation cohorts, with an area under the curve of 0.914 (p < 0.001, 95%CI = 0.873-0.956) and 0.947 (p < 0.001, 95%CI = 0.907-0.987), respectively. Additionally, the model also exhibited good calibration (Hosmer-Lemeshow goodness-of-fit test: X2 = 9.176, p = 0.328). The clinical decision curve analysis and clinical impact curve showed favorable clinical applicability. In comparison to other prediction models and variables, our model displayed superior predictive performance. The new prediction nomogram has the capability to forecast the unfavorable outcomes at 6 months after intervention in patients with aSAH.

Correlation Between Rod Fracture and Shear Stress: A Novel Parameter

We sought to assess the accuracy of a novel parameter proportional to the rod shear stress (RSS) in identifying patients at risk of rod fracture (RF) after surgery for correction of adult spinal deformity. We performed a retrospective medical record review of patients aged ≥18 years treated for adult spinal deformity between 2004 and 2014 with ≥24 months of follow-up. The primary outcome was RFs identified radiographically. Patient weight (w), number of instrumented levels (N), and minimum rod diameter (d) were recorded and used to calculate the RSS parameter (RSS=Nwd2). Receiver operating characteristic curves were produced and the area under the curve (AUC ± 95% confidence interval [CI]) was calculated to compare this parameter's discriminative accuracy to that of its constituent variables. The sensitivity, specificity, and likelihood ratios (LRs) were calculated. A total of 28 RF-positive and 154 RF-negative patients were included. The average age was 59.2 ± 9.6 years, and 93.4% were women. The RSS parameter produced the greatest AUC (0.73 ± 0.11). At an RSS cutoff of 30.1, it achieved a sensitivity of 71.4% and specificity of 71.4% (LR, 2.5; 95% CI, 1.8-3.5). The number of instrumented levels produced the next-greatest AUC (0.65 ± 0.12), with a sensitivity of 78.6% and specificity of 50.0% at a cutoff of 15 (LR, 1.6; 95% CI, 1.2-2.0). The RSS is calculated using easily obtainable information and shows potential as a tool for predicting patient-specific risk of RF after spinal fusion. The number of instrumented levels also correlates strongly with the occurrence of RFs and is not significantly less accurate than the RSS. A larger sample size and prospective validation would be useful in determining with greater confidence which parameter is superior for predicting RFs after spinal fusion.

A comparative analysis of mechanical power and Its components in pressure-controlled ventilation mode and AVM-2 mode

Background Mechanical ventilation is a critical therapeutic intervention in the management of patients with respiratory failure. Understanding the implications of different ventilation modes is essential in preventing ventilator-induced lung injuries (VILI). Recently, mechanical power has emerged as a critical element in the development of VILI and mortality. Previous bench work studies have suggested that new optimal (adaptive) modes, such as Adaptive Ventilation Mode 2 (AVM-2), can reduce the mechanical power in turn might reduce the rates of VILI. This study aims to compare the conventional Pressure-Controlled Ventilation (PCV) mode with an emerging design of Adaptive Ventilation Mode-2 (AVM-2), to measure the differences in mechanical power, alongside it’s components of PEEP, Tidal, Elastic, Resistive, Inspiratory, Total work, tidal volume, driving pressure and Power Compliance Index. Methods Between January 2023 and June of 2023, we conducted a prospective crossover study on twenty-two subjects admitted to our ICU within the first day after initiation of mechanical ventilation. Subjects were initially started on PCV settings chosen by the primary treatment team, then switched to AVM-2 with comparable minute ventilation. Mechanical power and its work components (tidal, resistive, PEEP, elastic, inspiratory, total), tidal volume, driving pressure, respiratory rate, and positive end-expiratory pressure, were recorded for each patient every 15 min for the duration of 2 consecutive hours on each mode. Statistical analysis, including paired t-tests were performed to assess the significance of differences between the two ventilation modes. The data is provided in means and 土 SD. Results There were significant differences between PCV and AVM-2 in mechanical power (J/min): 21.62 土 7.61 vs 14.21 土 6.41 (P &lt; 0.001), PEEP work (J): 4.83 土 2.71 vs 4.11 土 2.51 (P &lt; 0.001), Tidal work (J): 3.83 土 1.51 vs 2.21 土 0.89 (P &lt; 0.001), Elastic work (J): 8.62 土 3.13 vs 6.32 土 3.21 (P &lt; 0.001), Resistive work (J): 3.23 土 1.61 vs 1.81 土 1.31 (P 0.013), Inspiratory work (J): 6.95 土 2.58 vs 4.05 土 2.01 (P &lt; 0.001), Total work (J): 11.81 土 3.81 vs 8.11 土 4.23 (P &lt; 0.001). There were significant differences between PCV and AVM-2 in tidal volume (ml): 511 土 8.22 vs 413 土 10.21 (P &lt; 0.001), tidal volume / IBW 7.38 土 1.74 vs 6.49 土 1.72 (P 0.004), driving pressure (cmH2O): 24.45 土 6.29 vs 20.11 土 6.59 (P 0.012), minute ventilation (L/min): 8.96 土 1.34 vs 7.42 土 1.41 (P &lt; 0.001). The respiratory rate (bpm) was not significantly different between PCV and AVM-2 19.61 土 4.32 vs 18.32 土 1.43 (P 0.176). There were no significant differences between PCV and AVM-2 in static compliance (ml/cmH2O) 20.24 土 5.16 vs 22.72 土 6.79 (P 0.346), PaCO2 (mmHg) 44.94 土 9.62 vs 44.13 土 10.11 (P 0.825), and PaO2:FiO2 243.54 土 109.85 vs 274.21 土 125.13 (P 0.343), but significantly higher power compliance index in PCV vs AVM-2: 1.11 土 0.41 vs 0.71 土 0.33 (P &lt; 0.001). Conclusion This study demonstrates that the choice of mechanical ventilation mode, whether PCV or AVM-2, significantly impacts mechanical power and its constituent variables. AVM-2 mode was associated with reduced mechanical power, and its’ components alongside the driving pressure, and tidal volumes, indicating its potential superiority in terms of lung-protective ventilation strategies. Clinicians should consider these findings when selecting the most appropriate ventilation mode to minimize the risk of ventilator-associated complications and improve patient outcomes. Further research is warranted to explore the clinical implications of these findings and to refine best practices in mechanical ventilation. Key words: Mechanical power, Work, PCV, AVM-2, VILI

The record of geochemical changes in the biogenic-calcareous sediments of a kettle-hole in a young glacial landscape (western Kashubian Lakeland, North Poland)

The paper was focused on the reconstruction of past-environmental conditions dynamics based on the geochemical characteristics of sediments filling kettle-hole located in the western part of the Kashubian Lakeland, North Poland). Stratigraphic variability of lithogeochemical constituents and a set of 13 elements (TOC, N, P, Na, Ca, Mg, K, Al, Fe, Mn, Cu, Ni, Zn) were applied for Holocene reconstruction of certain processes and conditions in the studied kettle-hole. The detailed geochemical analysis allowed us to identify 6 phases in its development: Masz-1 stage covering sedimentation of sedge-moss peat over melting dead ice at the turn of the Preboreal and Boreal periods; Masz-2 stage of the initial phase of lake development with deep-water sedimentation; Late Boreal and Atlantic stage Masz-3 related to sedimentation of lacustrine chalk; Subboreal stage Masz-4 representing the beginning of lake terrestrialization; Subatlantic stage Masz-5 of lowland bog, and Masz-6 stage covering final phase of peatland evolution due to human activity. Principle component analysis highlighted the importance of two major factors controlling the geochemical variability of the studied sediments. These are the varied origin of supplying water reflected in the sedimentation of organic-calcareous sediments (PC1), and oxidative-reduction conditions determined by water level fluctuations (PC2).

Heterogeneity of Harmful Constituent Profiles in Smokeless Tobacco Products from Five African Countries.

Addictive, toxic, and carcinogenic constituents present in smokeless tobacco (SLT) products are responsible for the harmful effects associated with SLT use. There are limited data on levels of such constituents in SLT products used in Africa, a region with high prevalence of SLT use and the associated morbidity and mortality. Manufactured and custom-made SLT products were purchased from five African countries (South Africa, Uganda, Mauritania, Nigeria, and Zambia) using a standard approach for sample collection, labeling, and storage. Moisture content, pH, total and unprotonated (biologically available) nicotine, five tobacco-specific N-nitrosamines (TSNA), 10 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH), five metals and metalloids (As, Cd, Cr, Ni, and Pb), nitrate, and nitrite were analyzed. A total of 54 samples representing 15 varieties of manufactured SLT products and 13 varieties of custom-made SLT products were purchased and analyzed. In all samples, the total nicotine ranged from 1.6 to 20.5 mg/g product and unprotonated nicotine accounted for 5.3-99.6% of the total nicotine content. The sum of all five TSNA ranged from 1.6 to 100 μg/g product, with significant within-country variations observed across both the manufactured and custom-made varieties. Significant variations were also found for PAH, metals and metalloids, nitrates, and nitrites. This is the most comprehensive report on the chemical profiling of products from African countries. This is also the first study illustrating the variability of harmful constituents within the same types and brands of African SLT. Our findings emphasize the need for consumer education and interventions to reduce SLT use in Africa. The data reported here can be useful to regulators in considering measures to prevent the occurrence of high levels of known toxicants and carcinogens in manufactured products.

Comparison of Easy-to-Use Bronchiolitis Scores in the Post-COVID-19 Era-An Observational Study.

In the post-restrictions COVID-19 period, the incidence of bronchiolitis in infants has increased considerably. Several scores determine the degree of severity of the bronchiolitis episode, but few are clinician-friendly. The main aim of this research was to find the easy-to-use score that most accurately estimated the severity of patients' infections according to their clinical situations and most accurately predicted the need for hospital admission. An observational cross-sectional study was performed in a reference pediatric hospital during the post-restrictions period of the COVID-19 pandemic (2021 and 2022). A comparison was made between the severity estimate provided by five international acute bronchiolitis scales and the clinical severity of the acute bronchiolitis episode. Three hundred and seventy-seven patients participated in the investigation, with a mean age of 5.68 months; 68.7% of the participants had a mild episode of bronchiolitis, 24.5% had a moderate episode, and 6.9% had a severe episode. The severity estimated by the Tal scale modified by McCallum showed a statistically significant correlation with the clinical severity established by clinical criteria (0.836; p < 0.001). It showed a high correlation with other international scores, such as the Wang score (0.820; p < 0.05) and the Wood-Downes-Ferrés score (0.936; p < 0.001). In the multivariate analysis, the constituent variables of the modified Tal score appeared in the final model that predicts the need for hospital admission. In the context of increased incidence after COVID-19, the Tal score modified by McCallum is an easy-to-use measuring instrument that presents an excellent concordance with the clinical severity estimated at first care contact. It also offers a more significant prediction of the need for hospital admission.

Spurious heritability of ability tilts: A comment on

Ability tilts refer to within-individual differences between two abilities, e.g. math ability – verbal ability. Coyle et al. (2023) found ability tilts to be genetically heritable and concluded that ability tilts are genuine and, presumably, genetically coded individual characteristics. Moreover, Coyle et al. found a large portion of variance in ability tilts to be attributable to non-shared environmental factors (i.e. environmentability), which they interpreted to indicate that ability tilts are potentially generated by niche-picking. However, through simulations we show that heritability and environmentability of X-Y tilts are spurious consequences of heritability and environmentability of the constituent variables X and Y. Furthermore, we reanalyzed data used by Coyle et al. and show that the logic of their arguments would lead to the conclusions, for example, that the human genome codes for a difference between head circumference and verbal ability and that some individuals have picked a niche that includes a long nose at the expense of spatial ability. We do not find these conclusions tenable and propose, instead, that heritability and environmentability of tilts are spurious consequences of heritability and environmentability of the constituent variables.

Volatile Organic Compounds from Cassava Plants Confer Resistance to the Whitefly Aleurothrixus aepim (Goeldi, 1886).

Cassava is an essential tuber crop used to produce food, feed, and beverages. Whitefly pests, including Aleurothrixus aepim (Goeldi, 1886) (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae), significantly affect cassava-based agroecosystems. Plant odours have been described as potential pest management tools, and the cassava clone M Ecuador 72 has been used by breeders as an essential source of resistance. In this study, we analysed and compared the volatile compounds released by this resistant clone and a susceptible genotype, BRS Jari. Constitutive odours were collected from young plants and analysed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry combined with chemometric tools. The resistant genotype released numerous compounds with previously described biological activity and substantial amounts of the monoterpene (E)-β-ocimene. Whiteflies showed non-preferential behaviour when exposed to volatiles from the resistant genotype but not the susceptible genotype. Furthermore, pure ocimene caused non-preferential behaviour in whiteflies, indicating a role for this compound in repellence. This report provides an example of the intraspecific variation in odour emissions from cassava plants alongside information on odorants that repel whiteflies; these data can be used to devise whitefly management strategies. A better understanding of the genetic variability in cassava odour constituents and emissions under field conditions may accelerate the development of more resistant cassava varieties.