Knowing which restoration approach provides the best returns on investment for accumulating carbon is essential to foster restoration planning, financing, and implementation. We assessed the recovery of carbon stocks, implementation and land opportunity costs of forests established by natural regeneration and high-diversity native tree plantations. Our study was based on chronosequences (10-60 yr) of 12 naturally regenerating forests, 13 restoration plantations, and 5 reference forests located in Brazil’s Atlantic Forest. Restoration plantations accumulated approximately 50% more above-ground carbon than regenerating forests throughout the chronosequence. When controlling for soil clay content, soil carbon stocks were higher in reference than in restored forests, but they were comparable between plantations and regenerating forests. After 60 years of stand development, recovery of total carbon stocks in both restoration management types reached only half of the average stocks of reference forests. Total cost-effectiveness for carbon accumulation, including both implementation and land opportunity costs, was on average 60% higher for regenerating forests than for plantations (15.1 kgC.US$-1 and 9.4 kgC.US$-1, respectively). Both restoration management types had cost-effectiveness for carbon accumulation markedly lower than the price of carbon credits considered, so some voluntary forest carbon markets are not adequately priced to support restoration derived offsets. Although tree plantations initially had higher rates of carbon storage than regenerating forests, their higher implementation and land opportunity costs make them less cost-effective for carbon farming. Our results further suggest that carbon markets alone have a limited potential to up-scale restoration efforts in Brazil’s Atlantic Forest.

Spherical agglomeration (SA) is a process intensification (PI) strategy, which can reduce the number of unit operations in pharmaceutical manufacturing. SA merges drug substance crystallization with drug product wet granulation, reducing capital and operating costs. However, SA is a highly nonlinear process, thus for its efficient operation model-based design and control strategies are beneficial. These require the development of a high-fidelity process model with appropriately estimated parameters. There are two major problems associated with the development of a high-fidelity process models – (i) selection of the appropriate model corresponding to the underlying process mechanisms, and (ii) accurate estimation of the parameters. This work focuses on the identification of the best fitting model that correlates with experimental observations using cross-validation experiments. Further, an Iterative Model Based Experimental Design (IMED) strategy is developed, which uses D-optimal experimental design criterion to minimize the number of experiments necessary to obtain accurate parameter estimates.

In this paper, we investigate the surface-dependent growth model in Euclidean 3-space. The surface-dependent model is developed to model the kinematics of surface growth for objects that can be generated by the curves on the surface, such as parasites and plants. This paper includes two main purposes for this model. The first one is to parametrize this model by using the quaternions and homothetic motions.Furthermore, we express the matrix representations of the surface-dependent growth model. The second one is to construct the surface-dependent growth model by using the growth velocity components related to the Darboux frame at each point of the generating curve. Moreover, to support the theory studied in the paper various illustrated examples are presented.

The existing literature discusses different strategies to solve a scalar ordinary differential equation using Lie point symmetries. We focus on three of these strategies in order to frame methods for finding solutions of non-linear systems of ordinary differential equations. These include Lie's integration theorem, method of successive reduction of order and the method of using the invariants of the admitted symmetry generators. Illustrative examples and those taken from mechanics are presented to highlight the use of these methods.

We prove the existence of solutions for some semilinear elliptic equations in the appropriate H^4 spaces using the fixed point technique where the elliptic equation contains fourth order differential operators with and without Fredholm property, generalizing the results of the preceding work [22].

A system of boundary-domain integral equations (BDIEs) is obtained from the Dirichlet problem for the diffusion equation in non-homogeneous media defined on an exterior two-dimensional domain. We use a parametrix different from the one employed by in . The system of BDIEs is formulated in terms of parametrix-based surface and volume potentials whose mapping properties are analysed in weighted Sobolev spaces. The system of BDIEs is shown to be equivalent to the original boundary value problem and uniquely solvable in appropriate weighted Sobolev spaces suitable for unbounded domains.

In the paper, we devote to broadening the current global regularity results for the two-dimensional magnetic B\’{e}nard fluid equations. We study three cases: (i) fractional Laplacian dissipation $(-\Delta)^\alpha{u}$, partial magnetic diffusion $(\partial_{x_2x_2}b_1,\partial_{x_1x_1}b_2)$ and Laplacian thermal diffusivity $\Delta\theta$; (ii) partial fractional dissipation $(\Lambda^{2\alpha}_{x_2}u_1,\Lambda^{2\alpha}_{x_1}u_2)$, partial magnetic diffusion $(\partial_{x_2x_2}b_1,\partial_{x_1x_1}b_2)$ and Laplacian thermal diffusivity $\Delta\theta$; (iii) partial fractional magnetic diffusion $(\Lambda^{2\beta}_{x_2}b_1,\Lambda^{2\beta}_{x_1}b_2)$, Laplacian thermal diffusivity $\Delta\theta$ and without Laplacian dissipation $\Delta{u}$ (i.e., $\mu=0$)), and establish the global regularity for each cases.

Zeolite belongs to one of the most important families of solid acid catalysts in chemical industries. It is however severely constrained by the diffusion limitation for bulky molecules, the lack of multi-functionality for sequential reactions and pore adaptability towards specific adsorbates, due to the small micropore size and simple aluminosilicate framework. Introducing mesopores into the zeolitic framework towards hierarchical zeolites is prevailing, but usually suffers from compromised crystallinity as well as insufficient interconnectivity and openness of mesopores. Herein, a novel of acid-redox co-functionalized single-crystalline zeolite with highly open and interconnected mesopores is designed and fabricated. As a proof-of-concept study, we integrate the solid acid and Fe-oxy redox sites in a hierarchical MEL zeolite with well characterized microporosity and mesoporosity. It exhibits superior activity and stability towards the alkylation between mesitylene with benzyl alcohol, arising from greatly facilitated intracrystalline molecular diffusion, mitigated metal leaching and optimized adsorbate-pore wall interactions.

1. Previous macrophysiological studies suggested that temperature-driven colour lightness and body size variations strongly influence biogeographical patterns in ectotherms, but whether these trait-environment relationships scale to local assemblages and the extent to which they can be modified by dispersal remains largely unexplored. We test whether the predictions of the thermal melanism hypothesis and the Bergmann’s rule hold for local assemblages. We also assess whether these trait-environment relationships are more important for species adapted to less stable (lentic) habitats, due to their greater dispersal propensity compared to those adapted to stable (lotic) habitats. 2. We quantified the colour lightness and body volume of 99 European dragon- and damselflies (Odonata) and combined these trait information with survey data for 518 local assemblages across Europe. Based on this continent-wide yet spatially explicit dataset, we tested for effects temperature and precipitation on the colour lightness and body volume of local assemblages and assessed differences in their relative importance and strength between lentic and lotic assemblages, while accounting for spatial and phylogenetic autocorrelation. 3. The colour lightness of assemblages of odonates increased and body size decreased with increasing temperature. Trait-environment relationships in the average and phylogenetic predicted component were equally important for assemblages of both habitat types but were stronger in lentic assemblages when accounting for phylogenetic autocorrelation. 4. Our results show that the mechanism underlying colour lightness and body size variations scale to local assemblages, indicating their general importance. These mechanisms were of equal evolutionary significance for lentic and lotic species, but higher dispersal ability seems to enable lentic species to cope better with historical climatic changes. The documented differences between lentic and lotic assemblages also highlight the importance of integrating interactions of thermal adaptations with proxies of the dispersal ability of species into trait-based models, for improving our understanding of climate-driven biological responses.

An association has been reported between BP and DPP-4 inhibitors. We report three cases of DPP-4 inhibitor-associated BP, with an unfavorable course in 2 patients despite discontinuation of these drugs. Therefore, clinicians should pay close attention to the clinical course of DPP-4 inhibitor-associated BP, even after withdrawal of these drugs.

The fatigue behaviour of notched and unnotched specimens produced by additively manufactured Inconel 718 are analysed in the as-built and heat-treated conditions. The surfaces display high roughness and defects acting as fatigue initiation sites. In the as-built condition, fine sub-grains were found, while in the heat-treated state, the sub-grains were removed and the dislocation density recovered. SN-curves are predicted based on tensile properties, hardness and defects obtained by fractography, using the √area-method.

Cycads are an ancient group of tropical gymnosperms that are toxic to most animals—including humans—though the larvae of many moths and butterflies (order: Lepidoptera) feed on cycads with apparent immunity. These insects belong to distinct lineages with varying degrees of specialization and diverse feeding ecologies, presenting numerous opportunities for comparative studies of chemically-mediated eco-evolutionary dynamics. This review presents an evolutionary evaluation of cycad-feeding among Lepidoptera along with a comprehensive review of their ecology. Our analysis suggests that multiple lineages have independently colonized cycads from angiosperm hosts, yet only a few clades appear to have radiated following their transitions to cycads. Defensive traits are likely important for diversification, as many cycad specialists are warningly colored and sequester cycad toxins. The butterfly family Lycaenidae appears to be particularly predisposed to cycad-feeding and although aposematism is otherwise rare in this family, several cycad-feeding lycaenids are warningly colored and chemically defended. Cycad-herbivore interactions provide a promising but underutilized study system for investigating plant-insect coevolution, convergent and divergent adaptations, and the multi-trophic significance of defensive traits, therefore the review ends by suggesting specific research gaps that would be fruitfully addressed in Lepidoptera and other cycad-feeding insects.

Current crop protection strategies against the fungal pathogen Botrytis cinerea rely on a combination of conventional fungicides and host genetic resistance. However, due to pathogen evolution and legislation in the use of fungicides, these strategies are not sufficient to protect plants against this pathogen. Defence elicitors can stimulate plant defence mechanisms through a phenomenon known as priming. Priming results in a faster and/or stronger expression of resistance upon pathogen recognition by the host. This work aims to study priming of a commercial formulation of the elicitor chitosan. Treatments with chitosan result in induced resistance in solanaceous and brassicaceous plants. In tomato plants, enhanced resistance has been linked with priming of callose deposition and accumulation of the plant hormone jasmonic acid (JA). Large-scale transcriptomic analysis revealed that chitosan primes gene expression at early time-points after infection. In addition, two novel tomato genes with a characteristic priming profile were identified, Avr9/Cf-9 rapidly-elicited protein 75 (ACRE75) and 180 (ACRE180). Transient and stable overexpression of ACRE75, ACRE180 and their Nicotiana benthamiana homologs, revealed that they are positive regulators of plant resistance against B. cinerea. This provides valuable information in the search for strategies to protect Solanaceae plants against B. cinerea.

Dear Editor,We read the letter from colleagues Dr. Seedat and Dr. Marshall, commenting on our article, with great interest (1, 2). Their clarifications on the UK National Screening Committee (UK NSC) position are very clear. The UK NSC decided against a general screening since they cannot assess the benefits and harms in the patient populations of women (3) but they could indeed in newborns. The on-going clinical trial (GBS3 Trial; ISRCTN49639731) in the UK will compare the current risk-based strategy to two different screening tests. A lab based culture test at 3 to 5 weeks before anticipated delivery date will use an established microbiological technique [Enriched Culture Medium Testing] to reduce false-negative results and a molecular point of care test at the onset of labour. The latter test reduces the time period between screening and the start of labour. The predictive value of antenatal GBS cultures decreases if the interval between culture and delivery is longer than 5 weeks. The results of the trial will help to determine the appropriate screening technique and the rational use of antibiotics for the prevention of early onset GBS sepsis in newborn babies.Perinatal empirical therapy of newborns at risk for or with suspected EOS represents the main contributor to the use of antibiotics in early life (4). There is growing concern about the effects that unnecessary exposure to antibiotics in the perinatal period may have on the future health of these children (5, 6). Antibiotic-related alterations in the microbiome may have downstream effects on the developing immune system and may increase the risk of allergic, autoimmune, and metabolic diseases (5, 6).Seedat and Marshall state that according to another study, the use of IAP would indeed increase if screening were implemented, and that the portion of women receiving IAP would be ‘low risk women’ who… ‘would not have a neonate with EOGBS in the absence of IAP’ (1). In this statement is embedded the assumption that the currently established risk factors are indeed a good prediction of EOGBS transmission. However, 50% of neonates with early onset sepsis with GBS did not have risk factors. To the contrary, we confirm in our meta-analysis and systematic review that universal screening lowered the incidence of early onset GBS sepsis in newborn whereas risk-based approaches did not (2). This might indicate that although screening is imperfect, risk factors might be worse in predicting EOGBS outcomes.Besides, we found no evidence that the rate of intrapartum antibiotic treatment was different in risk-based screening than in universal screening. Administration of antibiotics in risk-based policies was in our study neither lower nor associated with a reduction in the burden of disease in early onset GBS sepsis (2). We are looking forward to the results of the GBS3 trial since there is a need for unbiased evidence on the appropriate policy. A trial comparing screening with risk-factor based intrapartum antibiotic prophylaxis is hard to conduct in areas that currently have a screening policy. Recruitment of participants is very challenging and a premature stop for futility is very likely. A lot of women might not want a risk-based protocol if screening is already the standard of care or easily available. Therefore, the UK data will be very helpful in guiding the future way.References1. Seedat F, Marshall J. Re: Universal screening versus risk-based protocols for antibiotic prophylaxis during childbirth to prevent early-onset Group B streptococcal disease: A systematic review and meta-analysis. (First comment letter. Reference to be added). BJOG. 2020.2. Hasperhoven GF, Al-Nasiry S, Bekker V, Villamor E, Kramer B. Universal screening versus risk-based protocols for antibiotic prophylaxis during childbirth to prevent early-onset Group B streptococcal disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis. BJOG. 2020. https://doi.org/10.1111/1471-0528.160853. Seedat F, Geppert J, Stinton C, Patterson J, Freeman K, Johnson SA, et al. Universal antenatal screening for group B streptococcus may cause more harm than good. BMJ. 2019;364:l463.4. Achten NB, Klingenberg C, Benitz WE, Stocker M, Schlapbach LJ, Giannoni E, et al. Association of Use of the Neonatal Early-Onset Sepsis Calculator With Reduction in Antibiotic Therapy and Safety: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. JAMA Pediatr. 2019.5. Cotten CM. Adverse consequences of neonatal antibiotic exposure. Curr Opin Pediatr. 2016;28(2):141-9.6. Esaiassen E, Fjalstad JW, Juvet LK, van den Anker JN, Klingenberg C. Antibiotic exposure in neonates and early adverse outcomes: a systematic review and meta-analysis. J Antimicrob Chemother. 2017;72(7):1858-70.

Environmental DNA and metabarcoding have great potential for the biomonitoring of freshwater environments. However, successful application of metabarcoding to biodiversity monitoring requires universal primers with high taxonomic coverage that amplify highly-variable, short metabarcodes with high taxonomic resolution. Moreover, reliable and extensive reference databases are essential to match the outcome of metabarcoding analyses with the available taxonomy and biomonitoring indices. Benthic invertebrates, particularly insects, are key taxa for freshwater biomonitoring. Nevertheless, so far, no formal comparison has assessed primers for metabarcoding of freshwater macrobenthos. Here we combined in vitro and in silico analyses to test the performance of metabarcoding primers amplifying regions in the 18S rDNA (Euka02 metabarcode), 16S rDNA (Inse01), and COI (BF1_BR2-COI) genes, and developed an extensive database of benthic invertebrates of France and Europe, with a special focus on three key insect orders (Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera and Trichoptera). In vitro analyses on 1514 individuals, belonging to 578 different taxonomic units showed very different amplification rates across primer combinations. The Euka02 marker showed the highest universality, while the Inse01 marker showed excellent performance for the amplification of insects. The BF1_BR2-COI metabarcode showed the highest resolution, while the resolution of Euka02 was often limited. By combining in vitro data with GenBank information, we developed a curated database including sequences representing 822 genera. The heterogeneous performance of the different metabarcodes highlights the complexity of the identification of the best markers, and advocates for the integration of multiple metabarcodes for a more comprehensive and accurate understanding of ecological impacts on freshwater biodiversity.

Acute basilar artery occlusions (BAO) that are not quickly recanalised may leave the patient with severe motor detriment. Efficacies of current treatments remain unclear. In our case of a 47-year-old-man presenting with quadriparesis, MRI demonstrated bilateral pontine infarct. A year after mechanical thrombectomy, he was fully ambulant.

Pacific lamprey (Entosphenus tridentatus) is a culturally important and imperiled anadromous fish with a parasitic ocean phase. Biological uncertainties challenge restoration efforts and life-history research is needed to explain observed trait variation and inform management actions. Using two new whole genome assemblies and genotypes from 7,716 single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) loci in 518 individuals from across the species range, we identified four large regions of high genomic divergence (on chromosomes 01, 02, 04, and 22). We genotyped a subset of 302 broadly distributed SNPs in 2,145 individuals for genotype-by-phenotype trait associations for adult body size, sexual maturity, migration distance and timing, adult swimming ability, and larval growth. Body size traits were strongly associated with SNPs on chromosomes 02 and 04. Moderate associations also implicated SNPs on chromosome 01 as being associated with variation in female maturity. Using genotypic frequencies of candidate SNPs for female maturity and body size, we extrapolated a heterogeneous spatiotemporal distribution of these traits based on independent datasets of larval and adult collections. These maturity and body size results guide future studies to validate these predicted phenotypic distributions across the geographic range and elucidate factors driving regional optimization of these traits for fitness.

The MERCURY consortium, established in 2000, has contributed greatly to the scientific development of faculty and undergraduates. The MERCURY faculty peer review publication rate from 2001-2019 of 1.7 papers/faculty/year is 3.4 times the rate of physical science faculty at primarily undergraduate institutions. We have worked with over 1000 students on research projects since 2001, and 75% of our undergraduate research students have been underrepresented in chemistry, either female or students of color. Approximately half of our alumni attend graduate school for the purpose of obtaining advanced degrees in STEM fields and 2/3 are female and/or students of color. We have had more than 1600 attendees at the 18 MERCURY conferences, including 111 invited speakers, 61 of whom have been female and/or faculty of color. In this paper the research accomplishments, transformational outcomes, and scientific productivity of the MERCURY faculty are highlighted.