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Structural diversity and conservation among CRESS-DNA bacilladnaviruses revealed through cryo-EM and computational modelling
No full textViruses that infect single-celled algae strongly regulate microalgae growth and community composition through cell lysis, enable nutrient recycling in marine ecosystems, and offer valuable insights into early stages of viral evolution. One major group, the Bacilladnaviridae family of single-stranded DNA viruses, infects diatoms in marine environments. Here, we present the capsid structure of Chaetoceros lorenzianus DNA virus (ClorDNAV, Protobacilladnavirus chaelor) determined at 2.2 Å resolution, thereby expanding the known structural diversity within the Cressdnaviricota phylum. The ClorDNAV capsid protein (CP) contains a conserved jelly-roll fold and a surface-exposed projection domain, with both N- and C-termini oriented toward the capsid interior. A low-resolution reconstruction of the genome revealed a spooled arrangement of the outer DNA layer, similar to that observed in Chaetoceros tenuissimus DNA virus type II (CtenDNAV-II). Structural comparison with CtenDNAV-II revealed five key CP differences: the absence of surface-exposed C-terminal tails in ClorDNAV, the presence of a helical domain, differences in the projection domain conformation, variation in the number of β-strands in the jelly-roll fold, and the lack of ion-attributed densities at subunit interfaces. Together with the genome reconstruction, these findings underscore the importance of experimentally determined structures for understanding viral architecture and evolution. To complement these results, we analyzed AlphaFold3-predicted CPs from all classified Bacilladnaviridae genera. These models confirmed the conservation of the jelly-roll fold across the family while revealing variability in the surface-exposed and terminal regions, likely reflecting host-specific adaptations and genome packaging strategies. Together, the experimental and predicted structures provide a comprehensive view of structural conservation and divergence in Bacilladnaviridae. Furthermore, the results provide additional structural evidence for the evolution of ssDNA Bacilladnaviridae from a noda-like ssRNA virus ancestor and suggest a shared genome organization resembling that of double-stranded viruses
Acceptance of evolutionary theory among pre-service teacher students and in-service teachers in Ecuador
No full textBackground: Despite its prominent role in contemporary biology and science, the theory of evolution is still contested by many social groups, showing a deficient understanding of its central postulates and low acceptance rates in many countries. A region traditionally understudied in this respect is Latin America. Within this region, Ecuador stands out as a key territory in the history of evolutionary thought, given the importance of the Galápagos fauna to the eventual realization of the fact of evolution by Charles Darwin. In the present study, we investigate the acceptance of the theory of evolution in a heterogeneous sample of pre-service teacher students (enrolled in formal education programs for teaching certification) from the Sierra region and in-service teachers (participating in professional development) from the Amazonia and Galápagos Islands regions. To gain insights into the potential causes of acceptance of evolutionary theory (MATE instrument), a series of sociodemographic variables, as well as measures of knowledge of evolution (KEE) and religiosity (DUREL) were also taken. Results: Our results show low values of acceptance (MATE = 67.5 out of 100), a very low level of knowledge (KEE = 3.1 out of 10), and moderate religiosity (DUREL = 3.2 out of 5). The relationship between variables was complex, but two of them showed a trend: knowledge and religiosity affect positively and negatively, respectively, the acceptance of evolutionary theory, although this influence is only moderate and varies between regions. Conclusions: A series of potential explanations for this trend are discussed in light of the religious and educational differences of each region
Smart glasses for monitoring vital signs in anaesthesia care settings : a qualitative simulation study
No full textBACKGROUND: Monitoring of vital signs is essential in anaesthesia care and plays a key role in preventing adverse events. Technological innovation is recognised as an important factor in enhancing patient safety. Smart glasses represent a novel tool that may support anaesthesia professionals in monitoring vital signs; however, their practical use and user experiences in anaesthesia care remain insufficiently explored. Understanding anaesthesia healthcare professionals' experiences with this technology is crucial to ensure its safe and effective implementation. In this study, smart glasses from Microsoft HoloLens 2 were used to visualize vital signs in the user's field of vision. The aim was to explore anaesthesia health care professionals' experience of using Microsoft HoloLens 2 smart glasses for monitoring vital signs in various simulated anaesthesia care scenarios.METHODS: A qualitative study design was used to explore the experiences of nurse anaesthetists and anaesthesiologists. Data were gathered through focus group interviews and subsequently analysed using qualitative content analysis.RESULTS: One overarching theme - a positive yet cautious attitude towards smart glasses - was identified, comprising three categories: Impact on intraoperative monitoring, Usability of the smart glass technology, and Communication challenges. These categories illustrated both advantages and limitations of using smart glasses in simulated anaesthesia care scenarios.CONCLUSIONS: The experience of using Microsoft HoloLens 2 for monitoring vital signs in simulated anaesthesia care scenarios revealed a generally positive but careful attitude towards the technology. Participants appreciated its potential to enhance situational awareness through continuous access to vital signs, while also highlighting concerns related to ergonomics, restricted field of view, and possible distraction. The findings offer insights for developers aiming to optimise smart glasses for clinical use. Further refinement and evaluation in clinical settings are needed before broader implementation in anaesthesia practice
Searching for long-lived particles in free neutron experiments
No full textWe explore the decay of free neutrons into exotic long-lived particles, whose decays could be detected in the next-generation free neutron experiments. We show that such a possibility is viable as long as the exotic particle is highly mass-degenerate with the neutron, avoiding exclusion by large-volume detectors. We estimate the number of observable events and identify the most promising final states from both theoretical and experimental perspectives. Our analysis highlights the unique capability of the HIBEAM-NNBAR experiment at the European spallation source to probe this unexplored region of parameter space, opening a new avenue for exploring physics beyond the Standard Model. We estimate that several events per year could be observed in the NNBAR experiment
Swedish clients’ views on certification of reused building products and reuse actors
No full textReusing building products is a feasible strategy for the construction and real estate industry to mitigate its climate impact. Sustainable reuse must be executed with quality assurance and defined responsibilities to encourage clients and avoid suboptimal outcomes. Despite the growing need to quality-assure reused products, there is limited research, particularly from an industry perspective. Previous research highlights that uncertainties about the performance and quality of reused products, insufficient documentation, and difficulties in defining new responsibility frameworks discourage their use. This paper investigates clients’ views on certified reused building products and reuse actors with the aim to provide new knowledge about certification as a tool for quality-assured reuse. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with Swedish clients experienced in reuse, and the data were analysed using thematic content analysis. The findings confirm that quality concerns remain a significant barrier, aligning with previous research, but also reveal strong support for certifying reused products to enhance quality assurance, increase confidence in product performance and facilitate warranties. While there was some interest in certified reuse actors, it was less pronounced. The study concludes that certifications can facilitate reuse adoption by reducing uncertainties, simplifying decision-making, and streamlining procurement, stressing the need for further research on this topic
Rapidity dependence of antideuteron coalescence in pp collisions at s=13 TeV with ALICE
No full textThe production yields of antideuterons and antiprotons are measured in pp collisions at a center-of-mass energy of s=13 TeV, as a function of transverse momentum (pT) and rapidity (y), for the first time rapidity-differentially up to |y|=0.7. The measured spectra are used to study the pT and rapidity dependence of the coalescence parameter B2, which quantifies the coalescence probability of antideuterons. The pT and rapidity dependence of the obtained B2 is extrapolated for pT>1.7 GeV/c and |y|>0.7 using the phenomenological antideuteron production model implemented in PYTHIA 8.3 as well as a baryon coalescence afterburner model based on EPOS 3. Such measurements are of interest to the astrophysics community, since they can be used for the calculation of the flux of antinuclei from cosmic rays, in combination with coalescence models. © 2024 CERN for the benefit of the ALICE Collaboratio
Chironomid-climate continentality conundrum
No full textIt is predicted that continentality, a climate parameter representative of a region’s annual temperature and precipitation range, will undergo significant changes in the future. The lack of past continentality reconstructions makes it impossible to decipher any long-term patterns of continentality changes. Here, we investigate the extent to which continentality influences modern chironomid assemblages and evaluate their ecological relevance for palaeolimnological data-based reconstructions of past continentality. We selected 53 lakes along a longitudinal gradient covering the East European Plain (Western part of Russia, Estonia, Latvia) and southern Scandinavia (Sweden and Norway). We analysed the dependency of chironomid assemblages on a variety of environmental parameters including two continentality indices (annual temperature range (ATR) and the Kerner Oceanity Index (KOI)), growing degree days at base temperature 5 °C, mean air temperatures of July, April, and October, number of ice-cover days, lake-water pH, loss-of-ignition and water depth using redundancy analysis. Correlations between all variables were tested to check for possible confounding effects. KOI had the highest explanatory power of 18.4% in the dataset and an absence of collinearity (correlation index < 0.7) with all the other tested variables. Further, we estimated weighted average optima to investigate the distribution of the morphotypes along the continentality gradient in the dataset. Glyptotendipes pallens-type, Neozavrelia, Polypedilum sordens-type, and Microchironomus showed a preference for a continental climate, while Paratanytarsus penicillatus-type, Pseudorthocladius, Thienemannimyia, and Limnophyes were found mainly in samples from oceanic areas. Weighted averaging-partial least squares regression was used for a trial test of the data, resulting in a promising KOI-based model performance with R2 = 0.73 and RMSEP = 5.1. Despite the relatively small dataset, our study suggests that chironomid data have the potential for further development as a tool for reconstructing palaeocontinentality
Bioeconomy innovations and their regional embeddedness: Results from a qualitative multiple-case study on German flagship innovations
No full textThis article explores the regional embeddedness of bioeconomy innovations in Germany, focusing on “flagship” innovation projects that exemplify the challenges and opportunities of systemic changes towards bioeconomies. While bioeconomies have been promoted as solutions to global challenges and opportunities for sustainable regional development, there are ongoing debates about the actual benefits of bioeconomies. These debates result not least from diverging visions of both bioeconomy and innovation. The concept of regional embeddedness shows promise for addressing such issues but needs empirical refinement and conceptual substantiation. Therefore, our study investigates how innovators perceive their bioeconomy innovations to be regionally embedded and which regional challenges and opportunities they identify, using a qualitative multiple-case study approach. More precisely, we report the findings from 16 interviews with experts involved in “flagship” innovations in the German bioeconomy. Our findings highlight the heterogeneity of bioeconomy visions and corresponding innovations and confirm the relevance of different types of proximity. Moreover, higher education institutions and research institutes are found to play a key role in driving bioeconomy innovations, which may, however, contribute to regional differences in capacities and capabilities for sustainable bioeconomy innovations and transitions. Building on our findings, we propose a first conceptual framework incorporating both procedural and effectual dimensions of regional embeddedness. Generally, our article provides insights for policymakers, innovators, and other scholars interested in better understanding and governing bioeconomies through regionally embedded innovation processes