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Farmland Afforestation by Poplar Shelterbelts Increased Soil Inorganic Carbon but Showed Ambiguous Effects on Soil Organic Carbon as Revealed by Carbon Isotopic Composition: Inter-Fraction and Inter-Site Differences in Northern China
Get PDFAfforestation has been considered to be the cost-effective way to sequestrate carbon (C) dioxide from the atmosphere in the soils, while concurrent responses of soil inorganic C (SIC) and soil organic C (SOC), and their turnover are still not well-defined. During the C cycle, inorganic C is enriched in heavy isotopes (13C), while organic C, due to photosynthetic fractionation, is enriched in light isotopes (12C). This leads to distinct C isotope fractionation in terrestrial ecosystems. In this study, 72 paired soils (0–20 cm) from poplar shelterbelts and adjacent farmland sites were collected in six regions (Zhaozhou, Fuyu, Dumeng, Zhaodong, Lanling, and Mingshui) of northeastern China. Five soil fractions of dissolved organic C (DOC), particulate organic matter (POM), sand and stable aggregates (S + A), silt and clay (S + C), and resistant SOC (rSOC) and bulk soils were used in C content assay and the natural δ13C determination. The results showed that, compared with SOC, poplar shelterbelts resulted in SIC accrual in the soils across all six sites; however, only half of the six sites showed SOC accrual, indicating an ambiguous effect of afforestation on SOC. The natural δ13C method could identify the SOC turnover owing to the C isotopic discrimination. The δ13C–SOC-derived turnover ratio was 23%. When SIC was included in the δ13C measurement, bulk soils and four soil fractions (S + C, S + A, rSOC, DOC) showed a 2%–10% lower turnover percentage than the δ13C–SOC-derived turnover ratios. The SIC inclusion resulted in the dependency of δ13C–TC (TC = SIC + SOC) values on SOC (negative, R2: 0.21–0.44) and SIC content (positive, R2: 0.39–0.63). By contrast, when SIC was excluded, the δ13C–SOC values were independent of them (R2 < 0.18). Redundancy ordination analysis manifested that more SOC in the soils, together with more POM and farming uses would be accompanied with the lower δ13C values. Moreover, forest characteristics (e.g., age and density) and farmland backgrounds (e.g., crop history and distance between forest and farmland) could explain differences in δ13C-related features. Our results highlighted that SIC in natural δ13C determination underestimated the C turnover ratio in general. However, SIC storage should be included in the soil C sequestration evaluation owing to a general SIC accrual pattern across regions when compared with those of SOC.Full Tex
Acute lower-limb heating improves exercise performance in individuals with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction
No full textExercise-based cardiac rehabilitation in individuals with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) elicits clinically meaningful improvements in exercise capacity and quality of life while reducing hospital readmissions.1 Training dose is an important determinant of the response to cardiac rehabilitation, where both the volume and intensity of exercise performed are critical to the magnitude of adaptation.2 Achieving more work (intensity, or duration) within a given session likely leads to greater adaptive responses and may improve clinical outcomes following exercise-based rehabilitation.3 Ergogenic aids that facilitate an ability to perform more work during each rehabilitation session may therefore be of clinical importance. An acute bout of passive heating increases core, skin and tissue temperatures, augmenting blood flow and shear stress and subsequent oxygen delivery.4 Therefore, we aimed to assess whether acute lower-limb heating increases femoral artery blood flow and lower-limb tissue oxygenation, that translates to increased post-heating exercise performance in individuals with HFrEF.Full Tex
Investigations of amination reactions on an antimalarial 1,2,4-triazolo[4,3-a]pyrazine scaffold
No full text1,2,4-Triazolo[4,3-a]pyrazines have previously been explored by the Open Source Malaria project as potent in vitro and in vivo antimalarial drug leads. With a view to generating a library of unique antimalarial 1,2,4-triazolo[4,3-a]pyrazines and exploring regiochemical preference for nucleophilic amines, we utilised the known synthetic 5-chloro-3-(4-chlorophenyl)-[1,2,4]triazolo[4,3-a]pyrazine (1) as a scaffold for aminations with 14 commercially available primary amines. Reacting scaffold 1 with excess primary amine at room temperature for 16 h generated the desired amine analogues in respectable yields (18–87%) and high purity (≥95%) following chromatography workup. The structures of the 14 previously undescribed amine analogues 2–15 were fully characterised following 1D/2D NMR, UV, and HRMS data analyses. X-ray crystallographic analysis of crystals obtained from the aminated products 2, 7, 10, and 15 are also reported here. The new library of amine-substituted triazolopyrazines was screened against the Plasmodium falciparum 3D7 strain. The tertiary alkylamine products 10–14 displayed antimalarial activity with IC50 values ranging from 9.90 to 23.30 µM against P. falciparum 3D7, with compounds 10–12 demonstrating no toxicity at 80 µM against the human embryonic kidney cell line HEK293.Full Tex
Midwifery students' evaluation of midwifery practice experiences in Australia: A national survey
No full textAim
To report the findings of the first 12 months of a national survey of midwifery students’ evaluation of midwifery practice experiences in Australia.
Background
Accreditation standards for midwifery programs globally and in Australia, require evidence of monitoring and evaluation of student midwifery practice experiences. In 2022 the National Placement Evaluation Centre was commissioned to measure and enhance the quality of nursing and midwifery practice experiences.
Design
Survey
Methods
A national survey of midwifery students who completed midwifery practice experience in Australia between 1 July 2023 and 30 June 2024.
Results
Midwifery practice experiences (n=871) were evaluated; most were rostered placements in a maternity unit. Overall, the quality of the clinical learning environment and of learning support were rated highly and 87% of students were very satisfied with their midwifery practice experiences. Older students and indigenous students rated their midwifery practice experiences lower than younger, non-indigenous students. Higher quality PET-(Midwifery) scores were associated with antenatal placement (p 0.004). Students who were aged 30 to 39 (p<0.001) and conducted their placement between 15-21 days (p=0.010) or 29 days and longer (p=0.029), rated lower than those completing their placement with 1-7 days.
Conclusions
This national study provides benchmark data and valuable insights into the midwifery student practice experiences across Australia. Future research should continue to monitor and ameliorate the nuanced dynamics of participant and placement characteristics, ensuring that all students, regardless of age or background, have access to high-quality, supportive midwifery practice experiences that prepare them for the demands of contemporary midwifery.Full Tex
Ginseng-derived GABAFG ameliorates type 2 diabetes mellitus by modulating autophagy-lysosome pathway and gut microbiota
Get PDFIntroduction
Hyperglycemia and hyperlipidemia are the hallmarks of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). T2DM is a systemic metabolic disease caused by insulin resistance and malfunctioning pancreatic β-cells. Although ginseng (the roots of Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer) can be used to treat T2DM, the underlying mechanism is unclear.
Objectives
To assess the role and mechanism of, γ-aminobutyric acid-fructosyl-glucose (GABAFG), a maillard reaction product of ginseng, in T2DM treatment.
Methods
The metabolism of GABAFG in serum and tissues was analyzed via ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-Q exactive-mass spectrometry (UHPLC-QE-MS). The molecular mechanisms of GABAFG in pancreatic β-cells (in vivo and in vitro) were investigated via Western blotting, qPCR and immunofluorescence. In addition, the results were validated via high-throughput sequencing and serum metabolomics.
Results
GABAFG alleviated the elevation of blood glucose and blood lipids in HFD/STZ-induced T2DM mice. Also, GABAFG reduced the insulin resistance-associated IRS-1 signaling axis in pancreatic β-cells in vitro. Mechanistically, GABAFG targeted the nuclear translocation of TFEB inhibited apoptosis of pancreatic β-cells by enhancing autophagolysosome function. In addition, GABAFG remodeled the gut microbiota. Specifically, GABAFG increased Akkermansia, decreased Romboutsia abundance, and decreased serum glycerophospholipid metabolism, thus alleviating T2DM-induced dyslipidemia.
Conclusion
This is the first study to assess the pharmacological effects of ginseng-derived GABAFG in T2DM. Therefore, this study provides a new theoretical basis for understanding ginseng effect in metabolic diseases.Full Tex
A review of implementation aspects and sustainability in the prevention of hospital onset bacteremia
Get PDFThe emerging perspectives and implementation aspects presented in this review article outline infection prevention core components supported by recent research relevant to the mitigation of Hospital Onset Bacteremia and Fungemia in a surveillance setting that includes expanded efforts to all vascular access devices.Full Tex
The digital-intercultural-transdisciplinary nexus: Online international exchanges for transdisciplinary education
Get PDFTransdisciplinary problem-solving using digital technologies can further the internationalisation agenda within higher education through an inquiry-based collaborative online international exchange that is transformative and contributes real-world knowledge. Our study focused on a 12-week fully online programme bringing together undergraduates and postgraduates from a Hong Kong university and two Australian universities to research the well-being of university students. Drawing on Pierre Bourdieu’s concepts of field and habitus, we analysed the implementation and effectiveness of digital technologies in influencing the students’ experiences of sharing, learning and collaboration practices. The findings highlight the significance of online learning spaces for intercultural sharing beyond disciplinary spaces and generate tensions and ambiguities that provoke students to critically reflect on comparative cultural and social perspectives. This space for educational exploration and possibilities can move students beyond the taken-for-granted and expose them to diverse viewpoints and ways of thinking conducive to transdisciplinary learning and research.Full Tex
Warming degrades nutritional quality of periphyton in stream ecosystems: evidence from a mesocosm experiment
Get PDFPeriphyton, which is rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), serves as an indispensable high-quality basal resource for consumers in stream food webs. However, with global warming, how fatty acid composition of periphyton changes and consequent effects on their transfer to higher trophic level consumers remain unclear. By carrying out a manipulative mesocosm experiment with a 4°C increase, warming led to a significant decrease in the proportions of PUFA and Long-chain PUFA (LC-PUFA, >20 C) in periphyton from 13.32% to 9.90% and from 3.05% to 2.18%, respectively. The proportions of three PUFAs—α-linolenic acid (18:3ω3), arachidonic acid (ARA, 20:4ω6), and docosahexaenoic acid (22:6ω3)—also declined significantly (P < .05). Notably, the fatty acid profile of the consumer—Bellamya aeruginosa reflected the changes in basal resources, with a decrease in PUFA from 40.14% to 36.27%, and a significant decrease in LC-PUFA from 34.58% to 30.11%. Although algal community composition in biofilms did not significantly change with warming, significant transcriptomic alterations were observed, with most differentially expressed genes related to fatty acid synthesis in lipid metabolism and photosynthesis down-regulated. Our findings indicate that warming may hinder the production and transfer of high-quality carbon evaluated by LC-PUFA to consumers, consequently affect the complexity and stability of stream food webs.Full Tex
'Nobody wants to talk about that stuff': a qualitative investigation of the anticipated public perceptions of individuals with Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Get PDFObjective
Little research has explored in-depth qualitative opinions on anticipated public views of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) among those with the condition, and the potential impact of these views on wellbeing. This study explored the perceptions and reactions anticipated by those with IBD from the public (RQ1), and the impact these anticipated perceptions have on participants’ physical and psychological health, and their quality of life (RQ2).
Method
Twenty participants (aged 18–56 years) were recruited via Crohn’s and Colitis Australia and online IBD support forums. Individual, semi-structured interviews were conducted with participants. To avoid researcher bias, two independent data coders conducted thematic analysis to identify themes and subthemes.
Results
The themes identified by both coders were further examined and reported. Four themes were identified: (1) poor public awareness of IBD; (2) difficulties with disclosure; (3) emotional and social public reactions; and lastly, (4) ‘self-exclusion’. Most participants indicated that their physical health and quality of life are not impacted by their anticipated views, however, some participants reported that their psychological health is impacted.
Conclusion
This study uncovered the adverse impact of anticipated public views on psychological health. Regarding study implications, self-excluding behaviours should be routinely assessed in clinical practice.Full Tex
Short-Term Wind Speed Forecasting Using Different LSTM Deep Learning Methods
No full textAccurate wind energy forecasting is crucial for Bangladesh as it seeks to diversify its energy mix and reduce dependence on fossil fuels. Moreover, precise predictions can optimize wind farm operations, enhancing grid stability and economic viability in the country's emerging renewable energy sector. This study explores wind energy potentiality for Inani Beach, Bangladesh, by forecasting wind speed using various deep learning models. To evaluate their performance based on important criteria, models including Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM), Convolutional Neural Networks (CNN)-LSTM, and CNN-BiLSTM (Bidirectional LSTM) were used. Input parameters included time, barometric pressure, height, and humidity for 2014–2015. The CNN-BiLSTM model was specifically proposed for wind speed potential forecasting and compared against other DL models. Results indicated the superior performance of CNN-BiLSTM compared to other algorithms, with CNN-LSTM showing the weakest performance. CNN-BiLSTM achieved the best results, boasting Mean Absolute Error (MAE) and Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) values of 0.36 and 0.52, respectively. In contrast, CNN-LSTM underperformed with MAE and RMSE values of 0.42 and 0.6, respectively.No Full Tex