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Measurement report: The ice-nucleating activity of lichen sampled in a northern European boreal forest
Get PDFIce-nucleating particles (INPs) facilitate the heterogeneous freezing of cloud droplets and thus modify cloud properties. Hence, it is important to understand the sources of INPs. During the HyICE-2018 campaign, which took place in the boreal forest of Hyytiälä, substantial concentrations of airborne heat-sensitive biological INPs were observed, despite many potential biological sources of INPs being snow-covered. A potential source of INPs that were not covered in snow was lichens that grow on trees; hence, we investigated these lichens as a potential source of biological INPs in this boreal forest environment. INPs derived from lichen sampled during HyICE-2018 are shown to nucleate ice at temperatures as warm as −5 °C with 103 INPs per gram of lichen. Successive filtration to smaller sizes removes some of the most active INPs in suspension, but substantial activity remains, even when filtering to 0.1 µm. The small size of the INPs from lichen means they have the potential to either be emitted directly into the atmosphere or be associated with larger particles, such as lichenous reproductive aerosol types (spores or diaspores). We also show that the INPs from lichens from Hyytiälä are sensitive to heat, which is similar to the INPs sampled from the atmosphere of Hyytiälä and consistent with the presence of ice-active proteins. Adding to previous evidence of lichenous INPs, this study shows that lichens from a European boreal forest in Hyytiälä harbour INPs. This novel finding may be especially important in this snow-covered habitat where few, if any, other biological INP sources are available. The great terrestrial abundance of lichens in Hyytiälä, and around the world, calls for further research to combine their ice-nucleating ability with dispersal studies to evaluate the flux of lichenous INPs into the atmosphere, as well as to what extent these particles reach heights and locations where they might influence cloud properties
Combining in vivo and in vitro approaches to better understand host‐pathogen nutritional interactions
Get PDF1/ Nutrition often shapes the outcome of host–parasite interactions, however understanding the mechanisms by which this occurs is often confounded by the intimate nature of the association and by the fact that the host and parasite may compete for the same limiting nutrients. One way of disentangling this interaction is to combine in vivo and in vitro approaches.
2. Here, we explore the role of host nutrition in determining the outcome of infections using a model insect-bacterium system: the cotton leafworm Spodoptera littoralis and the blood-borne bacterium Xenorhabdus nematophila.
3. Spodoptera littoralis larvae were reared on one of a series of 20 chemically-defined diets ranging in their protein: carbohydrate (P:C) ratio and caloric density. They were then challenged with either a fixed dose of X. nematophila cells (live or dead) or were sham-injected. Survivorship of larvae challenged with live bacterial cells was strongly dependent on the protein levels of the diet, with mortality being highest on low-protein diets. This trend was reflected in the bacterial growth rate in vivo, which peaked in larvae fed low-protein diets.
4. To determine whether in vivo bacterial growth rates were driven by the direct effects of blood nutrients or by the indirect effects of the host immune response, we used 20 synthetic haemolymphs (‘nutribloods’) that mimicked the nutritional content of host blood. In vitro bacterial growth rate was negatively impacted by the protein content of the nutribloods, replicating the patterns seen in vivo and suggesting that nutrient availability and not host immunity was driving the interaction.
5. By comparing standardized bacterial growth rates in vivo and in vitro, we conclude that the outcome of this host–parasite interaction is largely driven by the ‘bottom-up’ effects of nutrients on bacterial growth, rather than by the ‘top-down’ effects of nutrients on host-mediated immune responses. The outcome of host–parasite interactions is typically assumed to be strongly determined by the host immune response. The direct effects of nutrition have been underexplored and may have broad consequences for host–parasite interactions across taxa
Question intonation in conversational speech: Chungcheong and Gyeongsang varieties of Korean
Get PDFThis study analyzed unscripted, conversational speech to investigate differences in question intonation in Korean varieties spoken in Chungcheong (CC) and Gyeongsang (GS). It is traditionally assumed that, apart from differences in word-level prosody, these two varieties differ in their intonational marking of questions, the CC variety typically using a final fo rise, and the GS variety using a final fo fall. Hierarchical clustering of fo contours and random forest analysis were used to inspect patterns emerging from the data. Further manual examination was conducted for the individual fo patterns. An investigation of the effects of variety and question type (alternative, polar, and wh-questions) did not strongly support the traditional account of the dialectal difference. Nonetheless, evidence for the interaction between variety and question type predictors was shown in the distribution of fo contours, with the GS variety showing greater variation than the CC variety. The approach taken here constitutes an effective analytical pipeline for exploring the distribution of fo contours in speech data with a high degree of sociolinguistic variation that is generally absent in scripted speech data. This study further shows that combining data-driven and linguistically informed analyses is useful for reconciling phonetic and linguistic approaches to analyzing intonation
Reliability of earthworm data from citizen science: Lessons from 7 years of a French national monitoring protocol
No full textMonitoring biodiversity is seldom comprehensive, as the spatio-temporal resolution needed to accurately reflect dynamic changes of these communities in diverse environments is often lacking. Citizen science offers a promising tool to help fill these gaps, engaging a wider audience in monitoring efforts and thus enhancing our understanding of earthworm ecology. However, a significant challenge arises as earthworms are difficult to identify to the species level in the field by non-experts, necessitating the use of morphotypes as taxonomic proxies. This study evaluates the reliability of earthworm classification into four earthworm morphotypes within the ‘500 ENI’ (Non-intended Effects) Monitoring Network in France. The network relies on annual sampling conducted in agricultural lands by non-specialist participants with subsequent identification verification by earthworm taxonomists. Analyzing >48,000 individual earthworms collected over 950 plots, we calculated two indices: the misclassification rate (MR) and the undetected rate (UR) to assess the reliability of classification into earthworm morphotypes. The results indicated an average MR of 28 % and an average UR of 32 %, which both varied according to morphotypes. Endogeics had lower error rates compared to epigeics, anecics with a red anterior, and anecics with a black anterior. Our findings underscored the significant impact of sampler experience and earthworm community composition on the reliability of classification of individuals into morphotypes by citizens. The results highlight the critical need for enhanced support and guidance for participants with limited experience. Furthermore, we recommend providing additional training or resources to aid in morphotype classification, especially for earthworm communities exhibiting low abundance, low adult proportion, or low morphotype diversity. Encouraging participants to sample during periods favorable for detecting reliable total and adult abundances would also help optimize morphotype detection
A Multi-Wavelength Study of the Dynamic Environment surrounding the FUor V960 Mon
No full textThe evolution of young stars and planet-forming environments is intrinsically linked to their nascent surroundings. This is particularly evident for FU Orionis (FUor) objects−a class of young protostars known for dramatic outbursts resulting in significant increases in brightness. We present a case study of V960 Mon, an FUor that has recently been found to show signs of a fragmenting spiral arm, potentially connected to planet formation. Our study explores the large-scale environment (103−104 au) and incorporates ALMA band 3, band 4 and band 6 continuum data, molecular emissions from 12CO, 13CO, C18O, SiO, DCO+, N2D+ and DCN, alongside optical and near-infrared observations from VLT/MUSE and VLT/SPHERE. We map a region of 20" across where we find tantalizing emissions that provide a unique view of a young group of protostars, including the discovery of a class-0 protostar to the east of the FUor. The 12CO and SiO tracers suggest that this object is at the base of an outflow, potentially impacting the surrounding medium. The MUSE and SPHERE observations indicate the presence of an elongated feature towards a prominent source to the southeast that may represent interaction between V960 Mon and its surrounding. Moreover, the C18O emission overlaps with the clumps of the detected fragmenting spiral arm. These findings provide the strongest evidence to date for a connection between infalling material, fragmentation, and the intensity outburst of a protostar. Our case study highlights the complex interactions between young stars and their surroundings that drive the evolution of the planet forming environment
Defining the integrated neighbourhood model: a systematic review of key domains and framework development
Get PDFBackground: Health systems are increasingly adopting Integrated Neighbourhoods (INs) to deliver hyper-local, community-based care that integrates health, social care, and public sector resources to address healthcare costs, improve outcomes, and reduce health inequalities. However, IN models lack a unified definition and standard framework for development and evaluation, limiting their scalability and effectiveness. This systematic review aims to establish a foundational framework for INs, identifying key domains to guide their implementation (including barriers of implementation, evaluation, and potential for future research. Methods: A systematic literature search, restricted to the English language, was performed to identify relevant studies with expert librarian support. Study quality was assessed with the Mixed-Methods Appraisal Tool (MMAT). A Braun and Clarke thematic analysis was conducted to identify recurring themes and extract key domains. Results: A total of 29 studies met the inclusion criteria, encompassing a diverse range of IN models with varying focus areas and methodologies. Seven key domains emerged as central to effective IN models: integrator host, integrator enablers, integrator partnership principles, core integrated workforce, core areas of work, and services provided. These domains support multidisciplinary collaboration, enhance resource utilisation, and promote community engagement. However, barriers such as funding limitations, digital exclusion, and inconsistent evaluation frameworks present challenges to IN scalability and sustainability. Conclusion: This proposed framework provides a starting point for a standardised structure for implementing and evaluating INs, guiding clinicians, academics, and policymakers in developing sustainable, equitable, and adaptable community-based care solutions with the potential to improve access to patients from low-socioeconomic and underserved communities. Trial Registration: PROSPERO ID: CRD42024597197; available: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?RecordID=597197
Prevalence of Men’s Intimate Partner Violence Victimization and Perpetration Among Two Samples of Male Victims: An International Study of English-Speaking Countries
No full textThere is a lack of research on men’s engagement in intimate partner violence (IPV) in the international context. This study compared the rates of IPV victimization and perpetration in two samples of men recruited from four English-speaking regions: the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom/Ireland, Australia, and Aotearoa/New Zealand: (a) male victims recruited though the platform Prolific (n = 1380) and (b) self-identified male victims recruited via community advertisements (n = 594). The self-identified male victim sample reported significantly higher rates of both perpetration and victimization compared to the Prolific sample of men who experienced at least one type of IPV; the prevalence rates of victimization in the self-identified victim sample ranged from 50.0% (sexual IPV) to 96.1% (physical IPV), and perpetration rates ranged from 21.1% (sexual IPV) to 54.0% (physical IPV). Regardless of the sample type, U.S. participants reported perpetrating and experiencing significantly more IPV than men from other countries, although there are some caveats. These findings emphasize the serious issue of men’s involvement in IPV as victims and highlight the importance of culture in understanding IPV
Occupying the invited spaces of European decision-making: Deepening conceptions of children’s democratic participation by learning from Roma-led participatory projects with children
No full textThere are growing commitments to involving children in policymaking in Europe and beyond, but these processes remain exclusionary. Thinking spatially and epistemologically can help challenge some of this exclusion and promote a stronger orientation towards justice. We draw on two case studies of Roma-led participatory processes in Europe that were part of an international programme in five countries, which sought to understand how to connect the concerns of children living in marginalised contexts with policymaking related to the EU Child Guarantee. Data collected through ethnography, participatory observations, voice notes, participatory evaluation and interviews with children, workers and leaders were analysed through a conceptually informed approach. This analysis shows that diversity in children’s participation policymaking can be strengthened by: providing opportunities in children's everyday spaces; creating bridging relationships between diverse places and identities to connect marginalised concerns to centres of power; creating multiple microphones through which to hear children’s concerns and to understand their contexts; intergenerational dialogues that progress towards meaning making through engagement with children and adult activists; reflection on the absences of reciprocity and engagement in action for change in social provision and social norms over the long term. These practices have relevance internationally for strengthening marginalised children’s democratic participation
You Reap What You Sow: Reclaiming the Narrative Through the Repositioning of Faith-Based Principles on Common Goods and Access to Medicines—An Islamic Proposition
No full textThe intersection between religion, faith, and development has played an important role in shaping the evolution of societies throughout time. One critical area where this was visibly demonstrated is that with relation to knowledge control and its impact on access to common goods. This article represents a pioneering attempt to engage and shed light on the role
played by Islamic principles with relation to this critical and timely debate