The biodiverse Neotropical ecoregion remains insufficiently assessed, poorly managed, and threatened by unregulated human activities. Novel, rapid and cost-effective DNA-based approaches are valuable to improve understanding of the biological communities and for biomonitoring in remote areas. Here, we evaluate the potential of environmental DNA (eDNA) metabarcoding for assessing the structure and distribution of fish communities by analysing sediments and water from 11 locations along the Jequitinhonha River catchment (Brazil). Each site was sampled twice, before and after a major rain event in a five-week period and fish diversity was estimated using high-through-put sequencing of 12S rRNA amplicons. In total, 252 Molecular Operational Taxonomic Units (MOTUs) and 34 fish species were recovered, including endemic, introduced, and previously unrecorded species for this basin. Spatio-temporal variation of fish assemblages was detected, richness during the first campaign was nearly twice as high as in the second sampling round; though peaks of diversity were primarily associated with only four locations. No correlation between β-diversity and longitudinal distance or presence of dams was detected, but low species richness observed at sites located near dams indicates that these anthropogenic barriers might have an impact on local fish diversity. Unexpectedly high α-diversity levels recorded at the river mouth suggest that these sections should be further evaluated as putative “eDNA reservoirs” for rapid monitoring. By uncovering spatio-temporal changes, unrecorded biodiversity components, and putative anthropogenic impacts on fish assemblages, we further strengthen the potential of eDNA metabarcoding as a biomonitoring tool, especially in regions often neglected or difficult to access.

Primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) is an immune-mediated chronic cholestasis. The disruption of T cell homeostasis plays an important role in PBC pathogenesis. Lysosomal associated membrane protein 2 isoform A (LAMP-2A) has been implicated in the regulation of CD4+ T cell responses, therefore we aim to evaluate the activation state of CD4+ T cells in PBC, and to investigate the role of LAMP-2A in it. The peripheral blood of PBC patients (PBC, n=42) and healthy controls (HC, n=20) were phenotypically analyzed, and LAMP-2A expression in CD4+ T cells was assessed by flow cytometry. Naïve CD4+ T cells of PBC patients were isolated and activated in vitro to estimate their activation responses. Additionally, we assessed the changes induced by silencing LAMP-2A expression. We found that CD4+ T cells of PBC patients exhibited significant hyperactivity, and naïve CD4+ T cells showed high LAMP-2A expression, which could be a novel biomarker for PBC activity. Moreover, by interfering with LAMP-2A expression in vitro, the overreactions of PBC naïve CD4+ T cells were reversed. Our study will help to clarify that increased LAMP-2A expression in the naïve CD4+ T cells of PBC patients may lead to a tendency for increased activation responses, which may be involved in the development and progression of PBC. To reverse the hyperactivity of CD4+ T cells and reduce the resulting biliary injury, LAMP-2A could be a novel therapeutic target for the treatment of PBC.

Mycorrhizal fungi alter their host plant’s resistance to herbivores and their competitive ability. However, most studies on how mycorrhizae alter resistance have been conducted in single plant studies, and so the interacting effects of mycorrhizae and competition on constitutive and induced plant resistance is largely unexplored. We tested whether mycorrhizal colonization with Rhizophagus intraradice would alter herbivore performance and the expression of chemical resistance traits in tomato plants with and without intraspecific competition. We treated the plants with jasmonic acid to measure their induced chemical resistance traits which we evaluated by measuring leaf consumption by Trichoplusia ni caterpillars and two traits that affect herbivore performance: protease inhibitors, an antinutritive protein, and carbon/nitrogen ratio, a metric of plant nutritional quality. Mycorrhizae decreased resistance (increased leaf consumption) to herbivores when the plants were not in competition but had no effect in competition. While mycorrhizae reduced protease inhibitors, independent of competition or treatment with jasmonic acid, this did not increase caterpillar feeding. However, mycorrhizae, competition and induction with jasmonic acid interacted to decrease plant nutrition, measured as C/N ratio, which was correlated with caterpillar feeding. Here, we show that mycorrhizae induced decreases in plant nutritional quality; a novel mechanism by which mycorrhizae affect resistance to herbivores. Mycorrhizae and competition interact to decrease plant nutritional quality and alter resistance to herbivores.

A combined experimental work and molecular electron density theory (MEDT) analysis was performed to reveal the strict click of 1,2,3-triazole derivatives by Ag(I)-catalyzed azide-alkyne cycloaddition (AgAAC) reaction and its corresponding mechanistic pathway. Such straightforward protocol for the click formation of 1,4-disubstituted-1,2,3-triazoles makes use of AgCl as catalyst in water as solvent under ambient conditions., with excellent yields and simple experimental work-up. MEDT study was performed by using DFT calculations at the B3LYP/6-31G(d,p) (LANL2DZ for Ag) level in order to understand the observed regioselectivity in AgAAC reactions, and to delineate the number of silver(I) species and their roles in this clickable 1,2,3-triazole formation. The comparison of the mononuclear Ag(I)-acetylide and binuclear Ag(I)-acetylide in the AgAAC reaction paths concerning the AgAAC reactions, shows that the values of the energy barriers for the binuclear processes are smaller than that of the mononuclear one. The intramolecular nature of these AgAAC reactions accounts for the regioselective formation of the 1,4-regiosisomeric triazole derivatives. The ionic nature of the starting metallated species is revealed for the first time, ruling out any covalent interaction involving the silver(I) complexes throughout the reaction as supported by the ELF topological analysis of the electronic structure of the stationary points, reaffirming the zw-type mechanism of the AgAAC reactions.

A document by Mattia Andreoletti. Click on the document to view its contents.

In this paper, the Dirichlet and Neumann boundary value problems for the steady-state Stokes system of partial differential equations for a compressible viscous fluid with variable viscosity coefficient is considered in two-dimensional bounded domain. Using an appropriate parametrix, this problem is reduced to a system of direct segregated boundary-domain integral equations (BDIEs). The BDIEs in the two-dimensional case have special properties in comparison with the three dimension because of the logarithmic term in the parametrix for the associated partial differential equations. Consequently, we need to set conditions on the function spaces or on the domain to ensure the invertibility of corresponding parametrix-based hydrodaynamic single layer and hypersingular potentials and hence the unique solvability of BDIEs. Equivalence of the BDIE systems to the Dirichlet and Neumann BVPs and the invertibility of the corresponding boundary-domain integral operators in appropriate Sobolev spaces are shown.

In this paper, the Boundary-Domain Integral Equations (BDIEs) for the mixed boundary value problem(BVP) for a compressible Stokes system of partial differential equation(PDE) with variable coefficient in 2D is considered . An appropriate parametrix is used to reduce this BVP to the BDIEs. Although the theory of BDIEs in 3D is well developed, the BDIEs in 2D need a special consideration due to their different equivalence properties. As a result, we need to set conditions on the domain or on the spaces to ensure the invertibility of corresponding parametrix-based integral layer potentials and hence the unique solvability of BDIEs. The properties of corresponding potential operators are investigated. Equivalence of the BDIE systems to the mixed BVP and invertibility of the matrix operators associated with the BDIE systems in appropriate Sobolev spaces are proved.

Vulnerability assessment has become a critical issue and an important approach for regional sustainable development. The Qinghai Province, located in the northeastern part of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, suffers a severe grassland degradation caused by climate change and human activities. The degradation constrains the development of local animal husbandry and further affects the vulnerability of social system. In this study, based on the vulnerability assessment framework of exposure-sensitivity-adaptability, two index systems were established including ecological and social aspects. The entropy weight method was used to determine the index weight. The dynamic changes of the ecological vulnerability and social vulnerability of Qinghai province were assessed from 1995 to 2015. Results indicated that ecological vulnerability in Qinghai province increased from eastern part to the west, and decreased from northern to southern part, while social vulnerability showed an opposite trend. Key ecologically fragile areas were mainly located in the Qaidam Basin and western Three-River Headwaters Region (TRHR), while key social vulnerability areas were mainly distributed in the Qilian Mountains and eastern Qinghai province. The overall ecological vulnerability showed a decreasing trend through time, but increased in several local areas. Social vulnerability dropped significantly, especially in the eastern part of Qinghai province. The results will help to identify key vulnerable areas of Qinghai province and provide references for the ecological protection and restoration and the formulation of ecosystem management policies.

Rationale, aims and objectives: Little is known about the effect of electronic audit and feedback (A&F) in primary care and its features affecting intervention effectiveness. The aim of this systematic review is: 1) to assess electronic A&F’s effectiveness in primary care and 2) to investigate facilitating factors of electronic A&F in primary care, as proposed in previous research. These factors are the use of benchmarks, frequency, cognitive load and evidence-based aspect of the feedback. Methods: The authors searched MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL and CENTRAL from 2010 onwards by replicating the search strategy provided in the last Cochrane review on A&F. Two independent reviewers assessed the records for their eligibility, performed the data extraction and evaluated the risk of bias of the included studies using a tool provided by Cochrane. Results: Our search resulted in 8,744 records, including the 140 RCTs from the last Cochrane Review, of which 431 full-text articles were assessed for their eligibility. Twenty-nine articles were included, of which 22 studies (76%) showed an effect of the electronic A&F intervention. Of these, only 3 studies (10.5%), targeting the quality of diabetes care and the prescription of antibiotics by dentist & physicians, met all the investigated feedback features and were effective. There was a high heterogeneity in the results and the design of the A&F interventions, causing a meta-analysis to be unreliable. Conclusion: This systematic review included 29 articles describing an electronic A&F intervention in primary care, of which 22 studies (76%) showed an effect of the intervention. It was not feasible to compare the different electronic A&F interventions and their facilitating factors because they were designed and implemented very diversely. Developing a framework or methodology for automated A&F interventions in primary care could be useful for investigating future interventions although further research is necessary.

Objectives: Older adults living in long-term care facilities (LTCFs) are particularly at risk during transitions in care, most notably from acute care back to their LCTF. Issues surrounding miscommunication of information or medications are often mentioned as important challenges. Transitional care interventions (TCi) have emerged as solutions to improve outcomes. The objective of this review was therefore to determine the effects of TCi on several indicators of quality of care, clinical outcomes, healthcare services use and satisfaction among older patients discharged from acute care to LTCFs. Methods: Medline, CINAHL, EMBASE, Cochrane Central and Social Work Abstracts were searched. Study selection (title/abstract, full-text), data extraction and assessment of study quality were conducted by two independent reviewers. A narrative synthesis of the data was performed. Results: From the 5,506 references identified, 11 were included. Eight studies reported on quality of care: six on medication problems, and two on advance directives. Four studies reported on clinical outcomes: three on mortality, two on mobility/function and one on confusion/behavioral symptoms. Seven studies reported on healthcare services use: six on hospital readmissions/ED visits, and five on hospital days. Three studies reported on satisfaction with TCi. While satisfaction levels were high with TCi, other outcomes were inconclusive. Medications problems appeared to be the outcome most likely to benefit from TCi. Discussion: TCi targeting the acute to long-term care transition have obtained inconclusive results so far. More studies investigating the outcomes of quality of care, clinical outcomes, healthcare services use are needed.

Due to the Doppler effect in waves, one can't efficiently transmit signals underwater. This paper takes you to novel approaches that utilize sonar conversion techniques as well as different UART communication methods and software defined networking mechanisms, in order to build underwater wireless networks. The case for UWNs being utilized for oceanic colonization is also presented, as well as how this applies to the creation of "Aquatic IOT type technologies" and new forms of telemetry. Presented in this paper are concepts that were deployed by the Stark Drones Corporation in competing for various challenges such as "The Internet of H2O Challenge" and GigabitDCx. Also presented, is a proposal to apply these technologies for monitoring lake contamination and various forms of e-coli buildup as well as phosphorus run-ons. These networks allow for a cleaner, more sustainable and observable ocean. 

Although large-scale implementation of SWC measures has been used to reduce soil loss and sedimentation in Ethiopian highlands, no method exists to evaluate how implementation of such measures affect erosion and sedimentary processes. In this study we measured and simulated the impacts of various SWC measures on soil loss and sediment yield using spatially distributed WATEM/SEDEM model calibrated at three sub-watersheds. The methods used comprised of field sampling and monitoring to characterize erosion and sediment yields and GIS analysis to calculate various model input parameters. The measurement and model simulation result showed all SWC scenarios reduced soil erosion and sediment yield and bund structures have reduced erosion by more than 57 to 65%. The integrated use of bund structures, contour cultivation, strip cropping and grass strips (scenario IV), sediment yield was reduced from 44.5 to 8.6 t ha-1 y-1, 30.7 to 5.3 t ha-1 y-1 and 36.6 to 6.3 t ha-1 y-1 in the upper, middle and lower part of Koga catchment respectively. Bund structures and grass strips had the highest specific contribution in controlling soil erosion and sediment yield in both study sub-watersheds. The measured and simulated erosion and sediment yield values were relatively lower at the middle of Koga for scenario I (present-day situation). This might be due to the lower transport capacity and lower sediment connectivity as a result of larger coverage of bunds and subordinate conservation measures such as: traditional diches and diversion channels in Debreyakob. This emphasises the importance of integrated use of conservation strategy to reduce soil erosion and sediment delivery. The calibration of WATEM/SEDEM at sub-watershed level has provided good model performance for measured and simulated erosion and sediment yields. Therefore, WATEM/SEDEM representing the underlying erosion and sedimentary processes can further be used to evaluate the impacts of land use and existing or new SWC scenarios.

Human pressure on the water resources provided by natural wetlands has intensified in Brazil due to an increase in agricultural land equipped with irrigation. However, the amount of water stored in these areas, and its contribution to aquifer recharge is unknown. The objectives of this study were to determine the amount of water that can be retained in a natural wetland surrounded by farmland and to propose a model of groundwater recharge. We used remote sensing techniques involving Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) to map the area and highlight the wetland internal morphology, using RGB orthomosaic and its respective digital surface model. According to the topography of the study area three compartments were defined. Compartment 1, corresponding to the external border of the wetland, can store 313,121.00 m³ of water; compartment 2 and 3 can store 85,923.20 m³ and 17,952.10 m³, respectively. The 2D inversion and a pseudo-3D model produced from Electrical Resistivity Tomography (ETR) data were used to visualize the subsurface geologic structure and hydrologic flow paths. Our results showed the direct interactions between groundwater (GW) and surface water (SW) in the center of the wetland (compartment 3), which constitutes the aquifer recharge zone with vertical infiltration. As the depth increases, infiltration and water flow deviate laterally in the southwest and northeast direction. The wetland is characterized as an unconfined aquifer that plays an important role in the hydrogeological dynamics of the catchment. Remotely sensed images allied with geophysical techniques allow complete surface and subsurface imaging and offers visual tools that contribute to understanding the hydrodynamic of an area.