Fungi in a Warmer World - Fungal diversity from the Peak Warming of the Miocene Climate Optimum as Recorded in the Latah Formation, Clarkia, Idaho, USA

Microfungi are a vital part of ecosystems as they help with key processes, such as carbon and nutrient cycling, especially through the actions of mycorrhizal and saprotrophic members (Nuñez Otaño et al., 2015, 2021; Willis et al., 2018). Microfungi can also be good indicators of plant biodiversity in an area because many fungal taxa are host-specific (Rutten et al., 2021; Francioli et al., 2021; Hu et al., 2021; Wijayawardene et al., 2022 ). Despite being crucial components in ecosystems, they are often overlooked. In the fossil record, microfungi have a high preservaon rate and they are often preserved close to the original substrate they were deposited in. This makes them an important proxy for understanding local past ecological and climatological conditions (Romero et al., 2021, O’Keefe et al., 2017). The Fungi in a Warmer World project seeks to use fossil fungal assemblages to study changes in biodiversity during the Miocene Climate Opmum (MCO), a period of peak warming that closely mirrors current and projected warming trends (Steinthorsdotter et al., 2021). The current atmospheric CO2 concentraon is around 420 ppm but is rapidly approaching the MCO average of 450-550 ppm (Steinthorsdotter et al., 2021).https://scholarworks.moreheadstate.edu/celebration_posters_2022/1045/thumbnail.jp

Altered White-Matter Microstructure in Conduct Disorder Is Specifically Associated with Elevated Callous-Unemotional Traits

Adolescents with conduct disorder (CD) and elevated callous-unemotional (CU) traits have been reported to present with a more severe and persistent pattern of antisocial behaviour than those with low levels of CU traits. However, relatively few studies have investigated whether there are differences in brain structure between these subgroups.We acquired diffusion tensor imaging data and used tract-based spatial statistics (TBSS) to compare adolescents with CD and high levels of CU traits (CD/CU+; n = 18, CD and low levels of CU traits (CD/CU-; n = 17) and healthy controls (HC; n = 32) on measures of fractional anisotropy (FA), axial (AD), radial (RD) and mean (MD) diffusivity. Compared to CD/CU- adolescents, those with CD/CU+ presented increased FA and reduced RD and MD (lower diffusivity) in several tracts including: body and splenium of the corpus callosum, right inferior longitudinal fasciculus, ILF; right inferior fronto-occipital fasciculus, IFOF; left superior longitudinal fasciculus, SLF; left cerebral peduncle, bilateral internal capsule, left superior and posterior corona radiata, bilateral thalamic radiation and left external capsule. In addition, relative to CD/CU- individuals, adolescents with CD/CU+ showed lower diffusivity (indexed by reduced RD and MD) in left uncinate fasciculus and bilateral fornix. Finally, relative to healthy controls, CD/CU+ individuals showed lower diffusivity (reduced RD) in the genu and body of the corpus callosum and left anterior corona radiata. These results suggest that CD/CU+ individuals present with white-matter microstructural abnormalities compared to both CD/CU- individuals and age-matched healthy controls. This finding is consistent with emerging evidence suggesting that CD/CU+ represents a distinct subtype of CD, and illustrates the importance of accounting for heterogeneity within CD populations

A new specie of Stenotabanus (Stenochlorops) (Diptera: Tabanidae) from Amazonas, Brazil, and a key to the subgenus

Description and figures are given tor Stenotabanus (Stenochlorops) bequaerti n. sp. from Amazonas, Brazil. Figures are included for paradoxus (Lutz) and vitripennis (Lutz), and a key to the subgenus is provided.Stenotabanus (Stenochlorops) bequaerti sp. n. do Amazonas, Brasil, é descrita e figurada. São incluídas figuras para vitripennis (Lutz) e paradoxus (Lutz) e uma chave é dada para o subgênero

Facies-dependent δ 13 C variation and diagenetic overprinting at the onset of the Sturtian glaciation in North-East Greenland

Time-significant surfaces are used to construct a stratigraphic test of the intrabasinal reproducibility of a 16‰ Neoproterozoic carbon-isotope (δ 13 C) anomaly in the NE Greenland Caledonides. The δ 13 C excursion from +6‰ to -10‰ occurs in the carbonate-dominated Andrée Land Group and lies below glacial diamictites of the Tillite Group commonly correlated as Sturtian in age (~720 Ma) and has been widely interpreted to record a global isotopic event reflecting a perturbation in the carbon cycle preceding the initiation of the snowball ice age. δ 13 C stratigraphic patterns were determined in two strike sections with relatively shallow platform deposits at Kap Weber and slope deposits on Ella Ø preserved directly below the first evidence for glaciation. The top and bottom of the δ 13 C profile was bounded by contiguous chronostratigraphic surfaces including an unconformity (sequence boundary) at the base recognisable in both sections and a subaerial exposure surface with a basinal correlative conformity at the top. The δ 13 C profile at Kap Weber shows δ 13 C values of +6‰ that drop to -8‰ in fine-grained slope deposits before returning to +6‰ in platform carbonates at the base of the glacial diamictite. The slope section on Ella Ø shows similar values for platformal carbonates of +6‰ with a similar drop to -10‰ in slope deposits, but this section lacks the return to platform deposits evident at Kap Weber beneath the diamictite as well as a return to positive δ 13 C values. The absence of the platformal sediments and positive δ 13 C values on Ella Ø cannot be attributed to erosional truncation because the contact in this section shows a conformable, interbedded transition into the glacial deposits indicating that a continuous record is preserved. This disparity in δ 13 C values below the base of the Tillite Group suggests that the most negative δ 13 C values recorded in slope mudstone facies (-10‰) occur near synchronously with values of +6‰ on the platform. Elemental mapping of the mudstone facies indicates that carbonate is largely pore-filling and authigenic, representing a secondary phase that is unlikely to record a seawater value. Elevated δ 13 C values in shallow inner-ramp carbonate intervals may record locally modified seawater enriched in 13 C by photosynthesis and evaporation. The excursion in δ 13 C values in the upper Andrée Land Group is therefore interpreted to result from a shift in facies from platform carbonates to carbonate cemented and diagenetically overprinted mudstone and does not record the secular change in seawater δ 13 C used for correlation or interpretation of biogeochemical events preceding the snowball ice age

Implementing changing behaviour towards aerobic and strength exercise: results of a randomised, phase I study determining the safety, feasibility, and consumer-evaluation of an online exercise program in persons with multiple sclerosis

Background: Many people with MS do not meet the recommended exercise regime to elicit health benefits. This study aimed to determine the feasibility, safety, acceptability, and appropriateness of an exercise intervention delivered online to persons with MS that meets current exercise recommendations and behaviour change principles. Methods: Seventy-two participants (age: 43.3 ± 13.3 years) with mild to moderate MS were stratified according to previous exercise behaviour and block-randomised into one of three groups: Control (CON; n = 24), General Exercise (GE; n = 24) who at screening did not meet current exercise recommendations, and Advanced Exercise, (AE; n = 24) who at screening met the current exercise recommendations. GE and AE groups received a four-month online-supervised, behaviour change theory-based exercise program and were assessed at baseline, four-months, five-months, and eleven-months for physical activity participation. The feasibility of process, resources, management, and scientific outcomes was assessed. Results: Of 198 potential participants, 143 met the eligibility criteria (72 %), and 72 were randomised. Fifty-three participants completed the intervention (74 % immediate retention), and 44 were retained at the six-month follow-up (61 %). Personnel time was 369 h, and total per-participant cost was Au$1036.20. Adherence rate to ≥70 % of exercise sessions was 73 % (GE) and 38 % (AE). The GE group observed a small magnitude of improvement in physical activity (d = −0.23). Conclusions: An online exercise program embedded with behaviour interventions for either GE or AE appears feasible, acceptable, appropriate and safe and may show long-term efficacy in increased exercise behaviours for persons with mild to moderate MS. Trial registration: ANZCRT number ACTRN12619000228189p.</p

Third-Line Nivolumab Monotherapy in Recurrent Small Cell Lung Cancer : CheckMate 032

Introduction: For patients with recurrent SCLC, topotecan remains the only approved second-line treatment, and the outcomes are poor. CheckMate 032 is a phase 1/2, multicenter, open-label study of nivolumab or nivolumab plus ipilimumab in SCLC or other advanced/metastatic solid tumors previously treated with one or more platinum-based chemotherapies. We report results of third- or later-line nivolumab monotherapy treatment in SCLC. Methods: In this analysis, patients with limited-stage or extensive-stage SCLC and disease progression after two or more chemotherapy regimens received nivolumab monotherapy, 3 mg/kg every 2 weeks, until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. The primary end point was objective response rate. Secondary end points included duration of response, progression-free survival, overall survival, and safety. Results: Between December 4, 2013, and November 30, 2016, 109 patients began receiving third- or later-line nivolumab monotherapy. At a median follow-up of 28.3 months (from first dose to database lock), the objective response rate was 11.9% (95% confidence interval: 6.5\u201319.5) with a median duration of response of 17.9 months (range 3.0\u201342.1). At 6 months, 17.2% of patients were progression-free. The 12-month and 18-month overall survival rates were 28.3% and 20.0%, respectively. Grade 3 to 4 treatment-related adverse events occurred in 11.9% of patients. Three patients (2.8%) discontinued because of treatment-related adverse events. Conclusions: Nivolumab monotherapy provided durable responses and was well tolerated as a third- or later-line treatment for recurrent SCLC. These results suggest that nivolumab monotherapy is an effective third- or later-line treatment for this patient population

Fungi in a Warmer World: Fungal Diversity in the Tropical Miocene Climate Optimum of the Clarkia Region of Idaho, USA

A knowledge gap associated with how fungal communities change in response to climate was identified in the 2018 State of the World Fungi report (Willis, 2018). While it is virtually impossible to test in the present, fungal assemblage changes can be studied in sediments from a warmer-than-present period such as the Miocene Climate Optimum (MCO) (Romero et al. 2021; O’Keefe 2017). The Fungi in a Warmer World project aims to generate and analyze a global-scale data set of fungal biodiversity, ecology, and associated flora from MCO sediments. This dataset will be used to model past fungal assemblage changes across the MCO and forecast future changes in line with IPCC RCP 4.5-8.5 warming.https://scholarworks.moreheadstate.edu/celebration_posters_2022/1003/thumbnail.jp

Environmental correlates of aquatic macroinvertebrate diversity in garden ponds: Implications for pond management

Garden ponds are a ubiquitous feature of urban landscapes and have the potential to be an important resource for biodiversity. However, the environmental and spatial factors influencing ecological communities within garden ponds have been poorly quantified to date, despite such evidence being critical to the development of effective management strategies that support biodiversity. This study aims to identify the environmental and spatial factors influencing macroinvertebrate richness, abundance and compositional variation among garden ponds and provide management recommendations at the local and landscape scale. In total, 99 macroinvertebrate taxa were recorded from 30 garden ponds. A negative association was recorded between ecological uniqueness (measured as the Local Contribution to Beta-Diversity) and taxonomic richness among the garden ponds, and those ponds with high ecological uniqueness typically displayed high replacement (turnover) values. Surface area, total plant richness and non-native plant richness were positively associated with macroinvertebrate richness. Taxonomic richness and abundance predominantly displayed a negative association with conductivity levels. Current management practices for garden ponds are highly variable, often focussed on individual ponds. Based on the findings of this study, we recommend that management should focus on making garden pond surface areas as large as possible, ensure that there is a wide variety of native aquatic plant species present and manage conductivity levels. Garden ponds likely comprise a significant component of the urban freshwater network, and considering their management at both local and landscape scales will ensure that biotic communities inhabiting urban landscapes can be more effectively supported