Search Results (3)

In this paper, we construct two deformations of the Godeaux surface with ${\pi }_1\cong {\mathbb{Z}}_4$, such that each central fibre contains a family of conics. We show that surfaces that are birational to these Godeaux surfaces exist in two connected components of the moduli space of the Campedelli surfaces with a fundamental group of order 8. The whole construction is simplified by the use of key varieties. Full article

New Jersey was among the first states impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, with one of the highest overall death rates in the nation. Nevertheless, relatively few reports have been published focusing specifically on New Jersey. Here we report on molecular, clinical, and epidemiologic observations, from the largest healthcare network in the state, in a cohort of vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals with laboratory-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection. We conducted molecular surveillance of SARS-CoV-2-positive nasopharyngeal swabs collected in nine hospitals from December 2020 through June 2022, using both whole genome sequencing (WGS) and a real-time RT-PCR screening assay targeting spike protein mutations found in variants of concern (VOCs) within our region. De-identified clinical data were obtained retrospectively, including demographics, COVID-19 vaccination status, ICU admission, ventilator support, mortality, and medical history. Statistical analyses were performed to identify associations between SARS-CoV-2 variants, vaccination status, clinical outcomes, and medical risk factors. A total of 5007 SARS-CoV-2-positive nasopharyngeal swabs were successfully screened and/or sequenced. Variant screening identified three predominant VOCs, including Alpha (n = 714), Delta (n = 1877), and Omicron (n = 1802). Omicron isolates were further sub-typed as BA.1 (n = 899), BA.2 (n = 853), or BA.4/BA.5 (n = 50); the remaining 614 isolates were classified as “Other”. Approximately 31.5% (1577/5007) of the samples were associated with vaccine breakthrough infections, which increased in frequency following the emergence of Delta and Omicron. Severe clinical outcomes included ICU admission (336/5007 = 6.7%), ventilator support (236/5007 = 4.7%), and mortality (430/5007 = 8.6%), with increasing age being the most significant contributor to each (p < 0.001). Unvaccinated individuals accounted for 79.7% (268/336) of ICU admissions, 78.3% (185/236) of ventilator cases, and 74.4% (320/430) of deaths. Highly significant (p < 0.001) increases in mortality were observed in individuals with cardiovascular disease, hypertension, cancer, diabetes, and hyperlipidemia, but not with obesity, thyroid disease, or respiratory disease. Significant differences (p < 0.001) in clinical outcomes were also noted between SARS-CoV-2 variants, including Delta, Omicron BA.1, and Omicron BA.2. Vaccination was associated with significantly improved clinical outcomes in our study, despite an increase in breakthrough infections associated with waning immunity, greater antigenic variability, or both. Underlying comorbidities contributed significantly to mortality in both vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals, with increasing risk based on the total number of comorbidities. Real-time RT-PCR-based screening facilitated timely identification of predominant variants using a minimal number of spike protein mutations, with faster turnaround time and reduced cost compared to WGS. Continued evolution of SARS-CoV-2 variants will likely require ongoing surveillance for new VOCs, with real-time assessment of clinical impact. Full article

The Midwestern US is dominated by corn (Zea mays L.) and soybean (Glycine max [L.] Merr.) production, and the carbon dynamics of this region are dominated by these production systems. An accurate regional estimate of gross primary production (GPP) is imperative and requires upscaling approaches. The aim of this study was to upscale corn and soybean GPP (referred to as GPP_calc) in four counties in Central Iowa in the 2016 growing season (DOY 145–269). Eight eddy-covariance (EC) stations recorded carbon dioxide fluxes of corn (n = 4) and soybean (n = 4), and net ecosystem production (NEP) was partitioned into GPP and ecosystem respiration (RE). Additional field-measured NDVI was used to calculate radiation use efficiency (RUE_max). GPP_calc was calculated using 16 MODIS satellite images, ground-based RUE_max and meteorological data, and improved land use maps. Seasonal NEP, GPP, and RE ( $\overline{x}$ ± SE) were 678 ± 63, 1483 ± 100, and −805 ± 40 g C m⁻² for corn, and 263 ± 40, 811 ± 53, and −548 ± 14 g C m⁻² for soybean, respectively. Field-measured NDVI aligned well with MODIS fPAR (R² = 0.99), and the calculated RUE_max was 3.24 and 1.90 g C MJ⁻¹ for corn and soybean, respectively. The GPP_calc vs. EC-derived GPP had a RMSE of 2.24 and 2.81 g C m⁻² d⁻¹, for corn and soybean, respectively, which is an improvement to the GPP_MODIS product (2.44 and 3.30 g C m⁻² d⁻¹, respectively). Corn yield, calculated from GPP_calc (12.82 ± 0.65 Mg ha⁻¹), corresponded well to official yield data (13.09 ± 0.09 Mg ha⁻¹), while soybean yield was overestimated (6.73 ± 0.27 vs. 4.03 ± 0.04 Mg ha⁻¹). The approach presented has the potential to increase the accuracy of regional corn and soybean GPP and grain yield estimates by integrating field-based flux estimates with remote sensing reflectance observations and high-resolution land use maps. Full article