Multiscale modelling and simulation, 13th international workshop

Multiscale Modelling and Simulation (MMS) is a cornerstone in the today's research in computational science. Simulations containing multiple models, with each model operating at a different temporal or spatial scale, are a challenging setting that frequently require innovative approaches in areas such as scale bridging, code deployment, error quantification, and scientific analysis. The aim of the MMS workshop is to encourage and consolidate the progress in this multidisciplinary research field, both in the areas of the scientific applications and the underlying infrastructures that enable these applications. Here we briefly introduce the scope of the workshop and highlight some of the key aspects of this year's submissions

Satellite-based modelling of potential tsetse (Glossina pallidipes) breeding and foraging sites using teneral and non-teneral fly occurrence data

BACKGROUND: African trypanosomiasis, which is mainly transmitted by tsetse flies (Glossina spp.), is a threat to public health and a significant hindrance to animal production. Tools that can reduce tsetse densities and interrupt disease transmission exist, but their large-scale deployment is limited by high implementation costs. This is in part limited by the absence of knowledge of breeding sites and dispersal data, and tools that can predict these in the absence of ground-truthing. METHODS: In Kenya, tsetse collections were carried out in 261 randomized points within Shimba Hills National Reserve (SHNR) and villages up to 5 km from the reserve boundary between 2017 and 2019. Considering their limited dispersal rate, we used in situ observations of newly emerged flies that had not had a blood meal (teneral) as a proxy for active breeding locations. We fitted commonly used species distribution models linking teneral and non-teneral tsetse presence with satellite-derived vegetation cover type fractions, greenness, temperature, and soil texture and moisture indices separately for the wet and dry season. Model performance was assessed with area under curve (AUC) statistics, while the maximum sum of sensitivity and specificity was used to classify suitable breeding or foraging sites. RESULTS: Glossina pallidipes flies were caught in 47% of the 261 traps, with teneral flies accounting for 37% of these traps. Fitted models were more accurate for the teneral flies (AUC = 0.83) as compared to the non-teneral (AUC = 0.73). The probability of teneral fly occurrence increased with woodland fractions but decreased with cropland fractions. During the wet season, the likelihood of teneral flies occurring decreased as silt content increased. Adult tsetse flies were less likely to be trapped in areas with average land surface temperatures below 24 °C. The models predicted that 63% of the potential tsetse breeding area was within the SHNR, but also indicated potential breeding pockets outside the reserve. CONCLUSION: Modelling tsetse occurrence data disaggregated by life stages with time series of satellite-derived variables enabled the spatial characterization of potential breeding and foraging sites for G. pallidipes. Our models provide insight into tsetse bionomics and aid in characterising tsetse infestations and thus prioritizing control areas. GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT: [Image: see text] SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13071-021-05017-5

Isotope effects in underdoped cuprate superconductors: a quantum phenomenon

We show that the unusual doping dependence of the isotope effects on transition temperature and zero temperature in - plane penetration depth naturally follows from the doping driven 3D-2D crossover, the 2D quantum superconductor to insulator transition (QSI) in the underdoped limit and the change of the relative doping concentration upon isotope substitution. Close to the QSI transition both, the isotope coefficient of transition temperature and penetration depth approach the coefficient of the relative dopant concentration, and its divergence sets the scale. These predictions are fully consistent with the experimental data and imply that close to the underdoped limit the unusual isotope effect on transition temperature and penetration depth uncovers critical phenomena associated with the quantum superconductor to insulator transition in two dimensions.Comment: 6 pages, 3 figure

Specificity of psychopathology across levels of severity:a transdiagnostic network analysis

A prominent hypothesis within the field of psychiatry is that the manifestation of psychopathology changes from non-specific to specific as illness severity increases. Using a transdiagnostic network approach, we investigated this hypothesis in four independent groups with increasing psychopathology severity. We investigated whether symptom domains became more interrelated and formed more clusters as illness severity increased, using empirical tests for two network characteristics: global network strength and modularity-based community detection. Four severity groups, ranging from subthreshold psychopathology to having received a diagnosis and treatment, were derived with a standardized diagnostic interview conducted at age 18.5 (n = 1933; TRAILS cohort). Symptom domains were assessed using the Adult Self Report (ASR). Pairwise comparisons of the symptom networks across groups showed no difference in global network strength between severity groups. Similar number and type of communities detected in the four groups exceeded the more minor differences across groups. Common clusters consisted of domains associated with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and combined depression and anxiety domains. Based on the strength of symptom domain associations and symptom clustering using a network approach, we found no support for the hypothesis that the manifestation of psychopathology along the severity continuum changes from non-specific to specific

Gidsen in de stadse jungle, biologentweeling wekt verwondering voor stadsecologie

Conservation Biolog

Impaired trophoblast invasion and increased numbers of immune cells at day 18 of pregnancy in the mesometrial triangle of type 1 diabetic rats

AbstractIntroductionType 1 diabetes (T1D) is associated with adverse pregnancy outcome, usually attributed to hyperglycemia. Recently, we showed that pregnancy outcome in normoglycemic T1D rats was characterized by decreased fetal and placental weight, suggesting impaired placental development. In the present study, we tested the hypothesis that trophoblast invasion and spiral artery (SA) remodeling is impaired in T1D rats ant that this is associated with aberrant local presence of NK cells and macrophages in the mesometrial triangle (MT).MethodsPlacentae with MT from pregnant biobreeding diabetes-prone (BBDP; T1D model) rats, control biobreeding diabetes-resistant (BBDR) and Wistar-rats were dissected at day 18 of gestation and stained for trophoblast invasion, SA remodeling, uNK cells and macrophages.ResultsInterstitial trophoblast invasion and SA remodeling was impaired in BBDP-rats vs. control rats, coinciding with increased presence of NK cells and an increased iNOS+/CD206+ ratio of macrophages.DiscussionDecreased fetal and placental weight in BBDP-rats was associated with diminished interstitial trophoblast invasion and less optimal SA remodeling, increased numbers of NK cells and increased iNOS+/CD206+ macrophage ratio in the MT of BBDP-rats.ConclusionsThe impaired trophoblast invasion and SA remodeling may be due to an aberrant local immune-response and may result in damage to the fetal placenta and insufficient supply of nutrients towards the fetus with eventually decreased fetal weight as a consequence