Geographical and temporal distribution of SARS-CoV-2 clades in the WHO European Region, January to June 2020

We show the distribution of SARS-CoV-2 genetic clades over time and between countries and outline potential genomic surveillance objectives. We applied three available genomic nomenclature systems for SARS-CoV-2 to all sequence data from the WHO European Region available during the COVID-19 pandemic until 10 July 2020. We highlight the importance of real-time sequencing and data dissemination in a pandemic situation. We provide a comparison of the nomenclatures and lay a foundation for future European genomic surveillance of SARS-CoV-2.Peer reviewe

Determination of elements in thermal springs for monitoring pre-earthquake activites by ICP-MS

This study presents the results of hydrogeochemical studies carried out at the Kos thermal springs in Bingol, located in East Anatolia, Turkey. More than 250 thermal water samples were collected on a regular basis from November 2006 to January 2009 to measure element concentrations as a monitor of earthquake precursors. Water samples were analyzed using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). The B, Ba, Br, and Ge concentrations were monitored for three years and ranged from 6822-7666, 64-101, 271-406, and 4.1-6.0 ?g L -1, respectively. The chloride concentrations for this period were in the 89-127 mg L-1 range. The data identify some element anomalies at least two hours prior to a major earthquake and for some time afterwards. These anomalies are characterized by decreases up to 20% in B, Ba, CI, and Ge concentrations and can be attributed to stress-/strain-induced pressure changes in the subsurface water systems. From this study, it can be suggested that thermal springs in a fault line area are ideal sites for monitoring precursors to earthquakes

To which world regions does the valence–dominance model of social perception apply?

Abstract: Over the past 10 years, Oosterhof and Todorov’s valence–dominance model has emerged as the most prominent account of how people evaluate faces on social dimensions. In this model, two dimensions (valence and dominance) underpin social judgements of faces. Because this model has primarily been developed and tested in Western regions, it is unclear whether these findings apply to other regions. We addressed this question by replicating Oosterhof and Todorov’s methodology across 11 world regions, 41 countries and 11,570 participants. When we used Oosterhof and Todorov’s original analysis strategy, the valence–dominance model generalized across regions. When we used an alternative methodology to allow for correlated dimensions, we observed much less generalization. Collectively, these results suggest that, while the valence–dominance model generalizes very well across regions when dimensions are forced to be orthogonal, regional differences are revealed when we use different extraction methods and correlate and rotate the dimension reduction solution. Protocol registration: The stage 1 protocol for this Registered Report was accepted in principle on 5 November 2018. The protocol, as accepted by the journal, can be found at https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.7611443.v1. © 2021, The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature Limited