Search Results (46)

The priming effect (PE), a microbially mediated process, critically regulates the balance between carbon sequestration and mineralization. This study used soils from different soil depths (0–20 cm, 20–40 cm, and 40–60 cm) under Picea schrenkiana forest in the Tianshan Mountains as the research object. An indoor incubation experiment was conducted by adding three concentrations (1% SOC, 2% SOC, and 3% SOC) of ¹³C-labelled glucose. We applied ¹³C isotope probe-phospholipid fatty acid (PLFA-SIP) technology to investigate the influence of readily labile organic carbon inputs on soil priming effect (PE), microbial community shifts at various depths, and the mechanisms underlying soil PE. The results indicated that the addition of ¹³C-labeled glucose accelerated the mineralization of soil organic carbon (SOC); CO₂ emissions were highest in the 0–20 cm soil layer and decreased trend with increasing soil depth, with significant differences observed across different soil layers (p < 0.05). Soil depth had a positive direct effect on the cumulative priming effect (CPE); however, it showed negative indirect effects through physico-chemical properties and microbial biomass. The CPE of the 0–20 cm soil layer was significantly positively correlated with ¹³C-Gram-positive bacteria, ¹³C-Gram-negative bacteria, and ¹³C-actinomycetes. The CPE of the 20–40 cm and 40–60 cm soil layers exhibited a significant positive correlation with cumulative mineralization (CM) and microbial biomass carbon (MBC). Glucose addition had the largest and most significant positive effect on the CPE. Glucose addition positively affected PLFAs and particularly microbial biomass. This study provides valuable insights into the dynamics of soil carbon pools at varying depths following glucose application, advancing the understanding of forest soil carbon sequestration. Full article

The Pareto–Feller distribution has been widely used across various disciplines to model “heavy-tailed” phenomena, where extreme events such as high incomes or large losses are of interest. In this paper, we present a new bivariate distribution based on the Appell hypergeometric function with marginal Pareto–Feller distributions obtained from two independent gamma random variables. The proposed distribution has the beta prime marginal distributions as special case, which were obtained using a Kibble-type bivariate gamma distribution, and the stochastic representation was obtained by the quotient of a scale mixture of two gamma random variables. This result can be viewed as a generalization of the standard bivariate beta I (or inverted bivariate beta distribution). Moreover, the obtained bivariate density is based on two confluent hypergeometric functions. Then, we derive the probability distribution function, the cumulative distribution function, the moment-generating function, the characteristic function, the approximated differential entropy, and the approximated mutual information index. Based on numerical examples, the exact and approximated expressions are shown. Full article

We previously reported the first-in-human assessment of three doses (2, 5, and 10 µg) of purified inactivated Zika virus vaccine (PIZV or TAK-426) in the Phase 1 ZIK-101 study (NCT03343626). Here, we report dose selection based on extended safety and immunogenicity data (6 months post-vaccination) and discuss considerations (e.g., immunological, historic, flavivirus immunological cross-reactions) for selecting a Zika virus (ZIKV) vaccine dose formulation. TAK-426 dose selection was conducted at the first interim analysis, and was based on cumulative safety data from both flavivirus-naïve (up to ≥28 days post-dose PD2) and flavivirus-primed participants (up to ≥28 days PD1), and on immunogenicity data from flavivirus-naïve participants only (at 28 days PD1 and 28 days PD2). The safety profile from TAK-426 recipients was compared to placebo recipients. Immunogenicity was assessed by geometric mean titer ratios of neutralizing anti-ZIKV antibodies and differences in seroconversion rates. There was no significant difference in safety between the three TAK-426 doses. The 10 μg dose provided the earliest and strongest immune response (with close to 100% seroconversion and higher antibody titers PD1 in flavivirus-naïve participants), and was well tolerated with acceptable safety profiles in both flavivirus-naïve and flavivirus-primed participants; this dose was selected for further development. Full article

Mosquito species, including the Asian tiger mosquito, can transmit disease-causing pathogens such as dengue, Zika, and chikungunya, with their population dynamics influenced by a variety of factors including climate shifts, human activity, and local environmental conditions. Understanding these dynamics is vital for effective control measures. Our study, conducted in Jardí Botanic Marimurtra from May to November 2021, monitored Ae. albopictus activity using BG-Traps and investigated larval control effects. We employed Generalized Linear Mixed Models to analyze variables like weather, human presence, and larvicidal control on adult mosquito abundance. Adults of Ae. albopictus exhibited a seasonal pattern influenced by temperature but with bimodal peaks linked to cumulative rainfall. Proximity to stagnant water and visitor influx directly affected mosquito captures. Additionally, the effectiveness of larvicide treatments depended on interactions between preceding rainfall levels and treatment timing. Our research emphasizes the significance of studying vector ecology at local scales to enhance the efficacy of control programs and address the escalating burden of vector-borne diseases. Considering the impacts of extreme weather events and climate shifts is essential for the development of robust vector control strategies. Furthermore, our distinct findings serve as a prime illustration of utilizing statistical modeling to gain mechanistic insights into ecological patterns and processes. Full article

We investigated structural priming in adult native speakers, focusing on possessive constructions in German, where the two alternative structures involved differ in frequency. According to error-based learning approaches to priming, the less frequent structure should lead to a larger prediction error and larger priming effects than the more frequent structure. In a comparison of preferences during a pretest and preferences during priming, we did not find evidence of such an inverse preference effect. Moreover, during priming, we observed increasing production rates of the preferred structure, hence, a cumulative priming effect. In line with hybrid models of priming, we propose that two mechanisms, namely, a mechanism learning from input as well as a mechanism accumulating activation during comprehension and production, are involved in the temporal development of priming effects. Moreover, we suggest that the interaction of the two mechanisms may depend on prior experience with the alternative structures. Full article

This study aimed to investigate the impact of cold stress and priming on photosynthesis in the early development of maize and soybean, crops with diverse photosynthetic pathways. The main objectives were to determine the effect of cold stress on chlorophyll a fluorescence parameters and spectral reflectance indices, to determine the effect of cold stress priming and possible stress memory and to determine the relationship between different parameters used in determining the stress response. Fourteen maize inbred lines and twelve soybean cultivars were subjected to control, cold stress, and priming followed by cold stress in a walk-in growth chamber. Measurements were conducted using a portable fluorometer and a handheld reflectance instrument. Cold stress induced an overall downregulation of PSII-related specific energy fluxes and efficiencies, the inactivation of RCs resulting in higher energy dissipation, and electron transport chain impairment in both crops. Spectral reflectance indices suggested cold stress resulted in pigment differences between crops. The effect of priming was more pronounced in maize than in soybean with mostly a cumulatively negative effect. However, priming stabilized the electron trapping efficiency and upregulated the electron transfer system in maize, indicating an adaptive response. Overall, this comprehensive analysis provides insights into the complex physiological responses of maize and soybean to cold stress, emphasizing the need for further genotype-specific cold stress response and priming effect research. Full article

The priming of seeds is shown as a viable technique to improve germination, the growth of the radicle and plumule, and the seedling vigor index, which gives rise to seedlings with higher quality and tolerance to environmental growing conditions. Sodium selenite (Na₂SeO₃) and selenium nanoparticles (nSe) were used as priming media and postgermination biostimulation in seeds of jalapeño pepper, in concentrations of 1, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, and 45 mg L⁻¹ for the two Se species, and control treatment. This research aimed to determine the priming response of jalapeño pepper regarding the germination percent, germination speed index, radicle length, plumule length, fresh weight, and seedling vigor index. The stimulation and phytotoxicity thresholds were also computed. The results showed a percentage of germination greater than 80% in all concentrations evaluated. Most variables of jalapeño pepper presented stimulation responses at Na₂SeO₃ doses lower than 5 mg L⁻¹ and nSe doses lower than 15 mg L⁻¹. The higher daily germination was favored by nSe on the fifth day compared to the sixth day of Na₂SeO₃; in addition, the higher cumulative germination occurred on the sixth day with nSe and on the eighth day with Na₂SeO₃. The use of low Na₂SeO₃ concentrations positively favors germination and the morphological traits of the shoots. Likewise, the use of Se in nanometric form was friendlier, that is, the degree of tolerance to Se was higher. Full article

The input of exogenous organic matter could affect the transformation of soil carbon (C) and nitrogen (N), and their C- and N-priming effects (CPE and NPE) play a key role in the balance of soil C and N. However, little is known about how the interaction effect between straw and straw biochar regulates CPE and NPE. Therefore, we conducted a 90-day incubation experiment, which included five treatments: no straw and straw biochar (CK), 1.5% straw (S), 0.53% straw biochar (B), 1.5% straw + 0.53% straw biochar (SB), and 1.5% straw + 1.06% straw biochar (SB1). Our findings revealed that cumulative soil CO₂ emissions were increased by 95.52–216.53% through the short-term input of exogenous organic matter input; however, this trend gradually weakened with decreasing dissolved organic C (DOC) content. The cumulative NPE generated by the addition of exogenous organic matter was much smaller than the cumulative CPE. Under the B and S treatments, the cumulative CPE and NPE were negative throughout the entire incubation period. The SB treatment remarkably boosted the microbial biomass nitrogen (MBN) content; however, the SB1 treatment was more effective in inhibiting soil C and N mineralization processes than SB treatment. Moreover, the cumulative CPE and NPE were mainly regulated by N. We conclude that the combination of straw and straw biochar preferentially stimulated soil C mineralization, but that this effect decreased with time, which may be due to the consumption of labile DOC caused by the initial positive CPE, while soil N mineralization had a lag effect. Full article

The present study investigates the developmental trajectory of abstract representations for syntactic structures in children. In a structural priming experiment on the dative alternation in German, we primed children from three different age groups (3–4 years, 5–6 years, 7–8 years) and adults with double object datives (Dora sent Boots the rabbit) or prepositional object datives (Dora sent the rabbit to Boots). Importantly, the prepositional object structure in German is dispreferred and only rarely encountered by young children. While immediate as well as cumulative structural priming effects occurred across all age groups, these effects were strongest in the 3- to 4-year-old group and gradually decreased with increasing age. These results suggest that representations in young children are less stable than in adults and, therefore, more susceptible to adaptation both immediately and across time, presumably due to stronger surprisal. Lexical boost effects, in contrast, were not present in 3- to 4-year-olds but gradually emerged with increasing age, possibly due to limited working-memory capacity in the younger child groups. Full article

Photovoltaic distributed generation (PVDG) is a noteworthy form of distributed energy generation that boasts a multitude of advantages. It not only produces absolutely no greenhouse gas emissions but also demands minimal maintenance. Consequently, PVDG has found widespread applications within distribution networks (DNs), particularly in the realm of improving network efficiency. In this research study, the dingo optimization algorithm (DOA) played a pivotal role in optimizing PVDGs with the primary aim of enhancing the performance of DNs. The crux of this optimization effort revolved around formulating an objective function that represented the cumulative active power losses that occurred across all branches of the network. The DOA was then effectively used to evaluate the most suitable capacities and positions for the PVDG units. To address the power flow challenges inherent to DNs, this study used the Newton–Raphson power flow method. To gauge the effectiveness of DOA in allocating PVDG units, it was rigorously compared to other metaheuristic optimization algorithms previously documented in the literature. The entire methodology was implemented using MATLAB and validated using the IEEE 33-bus DN. The performance of the network was scrutinized under normal, light, and heavy loading conditions. Subsequently, the approach was also applied to a practical Ajinde 62-bus DN. The research findings yielded crucial insights. For the IEEE 33-bus DN, it was determined that the optimal locations for PVDG units were buses 13, 25, and 33, with recommended capacities of 833, 532, and 866 kW, respectively. Similarly, in the context of the Ajinde 62-bus network, buses 17, 27, and 33 were identified as the prime locations for PVDGs, each with optimal sizes of 757, 150, and 1097 kW, respectively. Remarkably, the introduction of PVDGs led to substantial enhancements in network performance. For instance, in the IEEE 33-bus DN, the smallest voltage magnitude increased to 0.966 p.u. under normal loads, 0.9971 p.u. under light loads, and 0.96004 p.u. under heavy loads. These improvements translated into a significant reduction in active power losses—61.21% under normal conditions, 17.84% under light loads, and 33.31% under heavy loads. Similarly, in the case of the Ajinde 62-bus DN, the smallest voltage magnitude reached 0.9787 p.u., accompanied by an impressive 71.05% reduction in active power losses. In conclusion, the DOA exhibited remarkable efficacy in the strategic allocation of PVDGs, leading to substantial enhancements in DN performance across diverse loading conditions. Full article

Aging is a natural intrinsic process associated with the loss of fibrous tissue, a slower cell turnover, and a reduction in immune system competence. In the skin, the continuous exposition of environmental factors superimposes extrinsic damage, mainly due to ultraviolet radiation causing photoaging. Although not usually considered a pathogenic event, photoaging affects cutaneous biology, increasing the risk of skin carcinogenesis. At the cellular level, aging is typified by the rise of senescence cells a condition characterized by reduced or absent capacity to proliferate and aberrant hyper-secretory activity. Senescence has a double-edged sword in cancer biology given that senescence prevents the uncontrolled proliferation of damaged cells and favors their clearance by paracrine secretion. Nevertheless, the cumulative insults and the poor clearance of injured cells in the elderly increase cancer incidence. However, there are not conclusive data proving that aged skin represents a permissive milieu for tumor onset. On the other hand, tumor cells are capable of activating resident fibroblasts onto a pro-tumorigenic phenotype resembling those of senescent fibroblasts suggesting that aged fibroblasts might facilitate cancer progression. This review discusses changes that occur during aging that can prime neoplasm or increase the aggressiveness of melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancer. Full article

Research Question: To compare the cumulative live birth rate (CLBR) per oocyte retrieval cycle of a conventional progestin-primed ovarian stimulation (cPPOS) regimen with a flexible progestin-primed ovarian stimulation (fPPOS) regimen in poor ovarian response patients, according to POSEIDON criteria. Design: Poor ovarian response women, according to POSEIDON criteria, who underwent the first PPOS protocol for in vitro fertilization/intracytoplasmic sperm injection (IVF/ICSI) between January 2018 and December 2020 were included. The fPPOS group involved 113 participants, and the cPPOS group included 1119 participants. In the cPPOS group, medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) (10 mg/d) was administrated on the gonadotropin injection the same day as gonadotropin injections in the cPPOS group, while MPA was started either on the day when the leading follicle with mean diameter > 12mm was present and/or serum E₂ was >300 pg/mL in the fPPOS protocol group. The primary outcome was CLBR. Results: The fPPOS protocol had higher CLBR per oocyte retrieval cycle compared to the cPPOS group, even without a statistically significant difference (29.6% vs. 24.9%, p = 0.365). The fPPOS group had fewer numbers of retrieved oocytes (2.87 ± 2.03 vs. 3.76 ± 2.32, p < 0.001) but a higher MII oocyte rate (89.8% vs. 84.7%, p = 0.016). In addition, the number of available embryos in the two groups was comparable (1.37 ± 1.24 vs. 1.63 ± 1.38, p = 0.095). There were five women in the fPPOS group, and 86 women in the cPPOS group had a premature LH surge (4.2% vs. 6.8%, p = 0.261). In the fPPOS group, there was one instance of premature ovulation, while in the cPPOS group, there were six occurrences of premature ovulation (0.8 vs. 0.5%, p = 1.000). Conclusion(s): The novel fPPOS protocol appears to achieve higher CLBR even without significant differences and with MPA consumption compared with cPPOS protocol in low-prognosis patients. Full article

Background: The hyperbolic torque-duration curve depicts critical torque (CT) and W prime (W′), with the curve’s asymptote representing CT as the boundary between heavy- and severe-intensity domains. W′, the curvature constant, indicates cumulative work beyond CT. This study investigated age-related reductions in W′, CT, and gait speed, and whether W′ and CT predict gait speed independently of muscle torque. Methods: three groups (adults, middle-aged, older) totaling 131 women were studied. W′ and CT were determined using 60 maximal isometric voluntary contractions of knee extensors. The fast gait speed was calculated in walking tests at 10 m, 400 m, and six minutes (6 MWT). Results: gait speed decreased (p < 0.05) with age, as did W′ and CT. Both W′ and CT correlated positively with gait speed at different distances (10 m, 400 m, 6 MWT). Adjusted for maximum muscle torque, only W′ maintained a positive association (p < 0.05) with all gait speed tests (10 m: β = 0.201, SE = 0.086; 400 m: β = 0.262, SE = 0.085; 6 MWT: β = 0.187, SE = 0.086). Conclusions: aging led to declines in W′, CT, and gait speed. W′, not CT, remained a significant predictor of gait speed, indicating its importance for older women’s mobility. Full article

The priming effect (PE) is important for understanding the decomposition of soil organic matter (SOM) and forecasting C-climate feedback. However, there are limited studies on microbial community-level properties and the keystone taxa involved in the process. In this study, we collected soil from a subtropical Phyllostachys edulis forest undergoing long-term N-addition and conducted an incubation experiment to evaluate the effects of single and repeated addition of ¹³C-labeled glucose. Our results demonstrated that previously N-fertilized soil had a smaller cumulative PE compared with that of the control (11% average decrease). This could be primarily explained (26%) by the lower abundance of bacterial r-strategy group members (B_mod#2, constituting Proteobacteria, Firmicutes, and Actinobacteria phyla) under N-addition treatments. A single C-addition induced a greater PE than that of repeated C-additions (2.66- to 3.11-fold). Single C addition led to greater C to N ratios of microbial biomass and fungi to bacteria, positively impacting cumulative PE, indicating that the shifts in fungal/bacterial dominance play an important role in regulating PE. Moreover, a saprophytic taxa group (F_Mod#3, primarily composed of the phyla Ascomycota) explained 62% of the differences in cumulative PE between single and repeated C-additions. Compared with repeated C-additions, a greater abundance of B_Mod#2 and F_Mod#3, as well as C-related hydrolase activity, was observed under single C-addition, inducing greater cumulative PE. Therefore, sufficient C may facilitate the proliferation of r-strategy bacterial taxa and saprophytic fungal taxa, thereby increasing SOM decomposition. Our findings provide novel insights into the relationship between microbial community-level properties and PE. Full article

This manuscript presents three families of distributions, namely the Beta, Beta Prime and Beta Exponential families of distributions. From all the distributions of these families, 14 statistical distributions of three, four and five parameters are presented that have applicability in the analysis of extreme phenomena in hydrology. These families of distributions were analyzed regarding the improvement of the existing legislation for the determination of extreme events, specifically the elaboration of a norm regarding frequency analysis in hydrology. To estimate the parameters of the analyzed distributions, the method of ordinary moments and the method of linear moments were used; the latter conforms to the current trend for estimating the parameters of statistical distributions. The main purpose of the manuscript was to identify other distributions from these three families with applicability in flood frequency analysis compared to the distributions already used in the literature from these families, such as the Log–logistic distribution, the Dagum distribution and the Kumaraswamy distribution. The manuscript does not exclude the applicability of other distributions from other families in the frequency analysis of extreme values, especially since these families were also analyzed within the research carried out in the Faculty of Hydrotechnics and presented in other materials. All the necessary elements for their use are presented, including the probability density functions, the complementary cumulative distribution functions, the quantile functions and the exact and approximate relations for estimating parameters. A flood frequency analysis case study was carried out for the Prigor RiverRiver, to numerically present the proposed distributions. The performance of this distributions were evaluated using the relative mean error, the relative absolute error and the L-skewness–L-kurtosis diagram. The best fit distributions are the Kumaraswamy, the Generalized Beta Exponential and the Generalized Beta distributions, which presented a stability related to both the length of the data and the presence of outliers. Full article