The importance of thermal stratification and oxygen conditions for internal cycling of nitrogen and release of phosphorus in Lake Årungen.

Eutrophication together with its subsequent effects, increased levels of phytoplankton, algae, decreased water transparency and oxygen depletion poses a significant threat to our limnic systems. Cultural eutrophication, in particular, significantly shortens the lifespan of freshwater bodies compared to natural processes. Lake Årungen, a dimictic lake, undergoes seasonal mixing, impacting its oxygen levels and nutrient distribution. During stratification, the lake experiences anoxic conditions in the hypolimnion, affecting the nitrogen and phosphorus cycles. The presence of nitrate in the hypolimnion can buffer against phosphorus release from sediments, mitigating eutrophication. The degree of mixing in Lake Årungen, influenced by wind and weather conditions, is crucial for maintaining water quality. Increased air temperatures due to climate change are contributing to the earlier onset and greater stability of thermal stratification in lakes such as Lake Årungen. This prolonged stratification period can lead to extended anoxic conditions in the hypolimnion and increases chances of internal phosphorus loading. Effective management of nutrient inputs, particularly from agriculture, is essential to counteract eutrophication and preserve freshwater ecosystems. Increased thermal stratification stability from increased air temperatures early in the season reduces oxygen distribution, increasing anoxia duration and necessitating higher nitrate levels to prevent reducing conditions. Comparative data from previous years (2017, 2013, and 2009) indicated that sufficient nitrate levels are critical in buffering phosphorus release from sediments. In 2023, nitrate levels at the onset of anoxia were 2.6 mg/l, maintaining a high redox potential and preventing significant internal phosphorus loading. In contrast, lower nitrate levels in earlier years led to substantial phosphorus release. Threshold levels for nitrate concentration, crucial in preventing internal phosphorus loading, are influenced by various biogeochemical and environmental factors, including sediment composition, pH, and microbial activity. Effective management strategies should focus on reducing external nitrate inputs and maintaining higher nitrate levels to mitigate the impacts of prolonged thermal stratification and prevent eutrophication in Lake Årungen

High temperature constitutive and crack initiation modeling of coated single crystal superalloys

The purpose of this program is to develop life prediction models for anisotropic materials used in gas turbine airfoils. In the base portion of the program, two coated single crystal alloys are being tested. They are PWA 286 overlay coated and PWA 273 aluminide coated PWA 1480 and PWA 286 overlay coated Alloy 185. Viscoplastic constitutive models for these materials are also being developed to predict the cyclic stress-strain histories required for life prediction of the lab specimens and actual airfoil designs

DNA Barcoding: Error Rates Based on Comprehensive Sampling

DNA barcoding has attracted attention with promises to aid in species identification and discovery; however, few well-sampled datasets are available to test its performance. We provide the first examination of barcoding performance in a comprehensively sampled, diverse group (cypraeid marine gastropods, or cowries). We utilize previous methods for testing performance and employ a novel phylogenetic approach to calculate intraspecific variation and interspecific divergence. Error rates are estimated for (1) identifying samples against a well-characterized phylogeny, and (2) assisting in species discovery for partially known groups. We find that the lowest overall error for species identification is 4%. In contrast, barcoding performs poorly in incompletely sampled groups. Here, species delineation relies on the use of thresholds, set to differentiate between intraspecific variation and interspecific divergence. Whereas proponents envision a “barcoding gap” between the two, we find substantial overlap, leading to minimal error rates of ~17% in cowries. Moreover, error rates double if only traditionally recognized species are analyzed. Thus, DNA barcoding holds promise for identification in taxonomically well-understood and thoroughly sampled clades. However, the use of thresholds does not bode well for delineating closely related species in taxonomically understudied groups. The promise of barcoding will be realized only if based on solid taxonomic foundations

Quaedam de morbo leproso inter rusticos Esthonos endemico : dissertatio inauguralis medica

http://tartu.ester.ee/record=b1883749~S1*es

Reporting of flow diagrams in randomised controlled trials published in periodontology and implantology: a survey.

BACKGROUND Item 13 of the CONSORT guidelines recommends documentation of the participant flow in randomised clinical trials (RCTs) using a diagram. In the medical literature, the reporting of the flow of participants in RCTs has been assessed to be inadequate. The quality of reporting flow diagrams in periodontology and implantology remains unknown. The aim of this study was to assess the reporting of flow diagrams in RCTs published in periodontology and implantology journals. MATERIALS AND METHODS RCTs published between 15th January 2018 and 15th January 2022 in twelve high-ranked periodontology and implantology journals were identified. Trial characteristics at the RCT level were extracted. The flow diagram included in each RCT was assessed for completeness of reporting in relation to published criteria and the CONSORT flow diagram template. RESULTS From the 544 eligible articles, 85% were single-centre, 82% of parallel-group design and 79% investigated surgical interventions. Three-hundred and fifteen (58%) articles were published in CONSORT endorsing journals. A flow diagram was reported in 317 (58%) trials and reporting was more common in periodontology (73.1%). Overall, 56% of publications with a flow diagram reported a complete CONSORT flow diagram, while in 44% of flow diagrams, at least one point from the CONSORT reporting template was missing. Reasons for loss to follow-up (69.7%) and exclusions from the RCT analysis (86.4%) were poorly reported. CONCLUSION The reporting of flow diagrams in periodontology and implantology RCTs was sub-optimal. Greater awareness of the importance of fully completing the participant CONSORT flow diagram is required

Unique Aggregations of a Large Undescribed Solitary Tunicate in the Arabian Sea

We document aggregations of an undescribed benthic solitary tunicate of the family Pyuridae from the Arabian Sea. This new genus was found forming dense thickets in shallow rocky substrates around Masirah Island and the Dhofar area in Oman. Such aggregations of tunicates have not been reported before from coral reefs in the Indo-West Pacific region and the Atlantic. This observation contributes to our understanding of the ecology and biogeography of ascidians, setting the stage for a comprehensive species description and in-depth analysis of this species

Relationship between adherence and health-related quality of life among HIV-patients in South Africa : findings and implications

Greater access to highly active antiretroviral treatment (HAART) has increased survival of people living with HIV and AIDS (PLWHA) and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) has emerged as an important indicator of treatment outcomes. However, the success of HAART depends on consistent and optimum adherence. Various cross-sectional studies and few longitudinal studies identified the relationship between HRQoL and HAART, however their association over time is still unclear. The objective of this study was to investigate the relationship between HRQoL and adherence to HAART over time. 431 PLWHA were followed for one year at 4-monthly intervals. A descriptive adherence self-report rating scale and WHOQOL-HIV BREF were administered to collect adherence and HRQoL data respectively. Optimum adherence was set at ≥95%. Significant differences (p< 0.05) in the overall mean HRQoL scores of the HAART adherent (≥95%) and non-adherent (<95%) patients were observed amongst patients on HAART for the periods 9-28 months, 49-64 months and 81-120 months. This study established a strong relationship between adherence to HAART and HRQoL over time. Adherence to HAART is still a challenge and needs to be addressed through appropriate interventions

Phylogeography Unplugged: Comparative Surveys in the Genomic Era

In March 2012, the authors met at the National Evolutionary Synthesis Center (NESCent) in Durham, North Carolina, USA, to discuss approaches and cooperative ventures in Indo-Pacific phylogeography. The group emerged with a series of findings: (1) Marine population structure is complex, but single locus mtDNA studies continue to provide powerful first assessment of phylogeographic patterns. (2) These patterns gain greater significance/power when resolved in a diversity of taxa. New analytical tools are emerging to address these analyses with multi-taxon approaches. (3) Genome-wide analyses are warranted if selection is indicated by surveys of standard markers. Such indicators can include discordance between genetic loci, or between genetic loci and morphology. Phylogeographic information provides a valuable context for studies of selection and adaptation. (4) Phylogeographic inferences are greatly enhanced by an understanding of the biology and ecology of study organisms. (5) Thorough, range-wide sampling of taxa is the foundation for robust phylogeographic inference. (6) Congruent geographic and taxonomic sampling by the Indo-Pacific community of scientists would facilitate better comparative analyses. The group concluded that at this stage of technology and software development, judicious rather than wholesale application of genomics appears to be the most robust course for marine phylogeographic studies. Therefore, our group intends to affirm the value of traditional ( unplugged ) approaches, such as those based on mtDNA sequencing and microsatellites, along with essential field studies, in an era with increasing emphasis on genomic approaches

Phylogeography Unplugged: Comparative Surveys in the Genomic Era

In March 2012, the authors met at the National Evolutionary Synthesis Center (NESCent) in Durham, North Carolina, USA, to discuss approaches and cooperative ventures in Indo-Pacific phylogeography. The group emerged with a series of findings: (1) Marine population structure is complex, but single locus mtDNA studies continue to provide powerful first assessment of phylogeographic patterns. (2) These patterns gain greater significance/power when resolved in a diversity of taxa. New analytical tools are emerging to address these analyses with multi-taxon approaches. (3) Genome-wide analyses are warranted if selection is indicated by surveys of standard markers. Such indicators can include discordance between genetic loci, or between genetic loci and morphology. Phylogeographic information provides a valuable context for studies of selection and adaptation. (4) Phylogeographic inferences are greatly enhanced by an understanding of the biology and ecology of study organisms. (5) Thorough, range-wide sampling of taxa is the foundation for robust phylogeographic inference. (6) Congruent geographic and taxonomic sampling by the Indo- Pacific community of scientists would facilitate better comparative analyses. The group concluded that at this stage of technology and software development, judicious rather than wholesale application of genomics appears to be the most robust course for marine phylogeographic studies. Therefore, our group intends to affirm the value of traditional (“unplugged”) approaches, such as those based on mtDNA sequencing and microsatellites, along with essential field studies, in an era with increasing emphasis on genomic approaches