Exceptionally preserved jellyfishes from the Middle Cambrian

Journal ArticleCnidarians represent an early diverging animal group and thus insight into their origin and diversification is key to understanding metazoan evolution. Further, cnidarian jellyfish comprise an important component of modern marine planktonic ecosystems. Here we report on exceptionally preserved cnidarian jellyfish fossils from the Middle Cambrian (,505 million years old) Marjum Formation of Utah. These are the first described Cambrian jellyfish fossils to display exquisite preservation of soft part anatomy including detailed features of structures interpreted as trailing tentacles and subumbrellar and exumbrellar surfaces. If the interpretation of these preserved characters is correct, their presence is diagnostic of modern jellyfish taxa. These new discoveries may provide insight into the scope of cnidarian diversity shortly after the Cambrian radiation, and would reinforce the notion that important taxonomic components of the modern planktonic realm were in place by the Cambrian period

Molecular and phenotypic comparisons of salt effects on soybean cultivars with differential chloride uptake capacities

Genetic manipulation of crop plants, through breeding or transgenic approaches, for enhanced tolerance to abiotic stress holds great promise for improving yields and promoting new methods for sustainable agriculture. This study examines the potential role that genes of the soybean, Glycine max L., encoding elongation factor-1 alpha (EF-1α) and glyoxalase I (GlxI) might play in response to salt stress. Previous reports have suggested a possible function for both GlxI and EF-1α in conferring enhanced salt tolerance in other plant species. In addition to other possible mechanisms, salt tolerance in soybeans can be regulated by plant uptake and transport of chloride ions. Soybean lines that transfer chloride to their foliage from the soil are termed “includers” and are considered to be more susceptible to salt stress than their counterparts, “excluders” that do not transport chloride into their leaves. We used chloride “includers”, cv. Clark and Dare, and “excluders”, cv. Lee68 and S100, to compare gene expression responses and plant susceptibility to chloride salts. Mineral analysis of Clark and Lee68 cultivars by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry was performed to verify the differences in chloride uptake. In an optimized greenhouse screening procedure, the excluder cv. Lee68 demonstrated fewer visual symptoms of salt stress when treated with the same salt concentrations as the includer, cv. Clark. RNA blots showed the soybean genes encoding EF-1α and I GlxI were equally induced in both includers and excluders following treatment with NaCl or CaCl2 . Although transcript levels for EF-1α and GlxI are induced by salt treatments, transcript profiles do not differ between salt-tolerant and susceptible soybean cultivars. This suggests that the cultivars respond to salt stress in similar ways, but that these genes are not responsible for the differential phenotypes

An Analysis of the Implications of the Stupak/Pitts Amendment for Coverage of Medically Indicated Abortions

This analysis examines the implications for coverage of medically indicated abortions under the Stupak/Pitts Amendment (Stupak/Pitts) to H.R. 3962, the Affordable Health Care for America Act. In this analysis we focus on the Amendment\u27s implications for the health benefit services industry as a whole. We also consider the Amendment\u27s implications for the growth of a market for public or private supplemental coverage of medically indicated abortions. Finally, we examine the issues that may arise as insurers attempt to implement coverage determinations in which abortion may be a consequence of a condition, rather than the primary basis of treatment

Polar maps of c-band backscatter parameters from the advanced scatterometer

Maps of backscatter anisotropy parameters from the European Organisation for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites (EUMETSAT) Advanced Scatterometer (ASCAT), a C-band fan-beam scatterometer, contain unique and valuable data characterising the surface and subsurface of various cryospheric elements, including sea ice and ice sheets. The computational expense and considerable complexity required to produce parameter maps from the raw backscatter data inhibits the wider adoption of ASCAT data. Here, backscatter anisotropy parameter maps gridded at a resolution of 12.5 km per pixel are made available to the community in order to facilitate the exploitation of these parameters for cryospheric applications. These maps have been calculated from the EUMETSAT Level 1B Sigma0 product acquired from ASCAT on board MetOp-A, MetOp-B and MetOp-C. The dataset is unique in that it prioritises anisotropy characterisation over temporal resolution and combines ASCAT data from multiple platforms. The parameterisation chosen assumes a linear falloff of backscatter with incidence angle and a fourth-order Fourier series parameterisation of azimuth angle anisotropy. The product (Fraser and Cartwright, 2022) is available at https://doi.org/10.26179/91c9-4783 presented on three timescales depending on orbital platform availability: 5 d (2007 to 2020 – MetOp-A only – suitable for users requiring a long time series), 2 d (2013 to 2020 – MetOp-A and MetOp-B) and 1 d resolution (2019–2020 – MetOp -A, MetOp-B and MetOp-C – suitable for users needing both high temporal resolution and detailed anisotropy characterisation). Datasets will be updated annually

Validation of the multidimensional scale of perceived social support (MSPSS) for family caregivers of people with dementia

Background and objectives The Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS) is a measure of perceived adequacy of social support. Whilst this is an important area of research for family caregivers of people with dementia, it is not clear whether the MSPSS retains its psychometric properties when used with this population. The aim was to conduct an in-depth psychometric analysis of the MSPSS to ensure that it remains a psychometrically robust measure for this population. Research design and methods Participants completed measures online using a self-complete procedure. A subsample completed the MSPSS twice, within a 4-week period. Properties assessed were internal consistency, floor and ceiling effects, test-retest reliability, convergent validity and factor structure. Results 270 participants completed the study and 58 comprised the test-retest sample. Internal consistency was excellent for the total score (α = 0.92) and three subscales (α = 0.92–0.94). Significant correlations were observed in the expected directions with depression (r = −.48, p < .001) and mental (r = 0.32, p<.001) and physical (r = 0.17, p=.003) health-related quality of life. Test re-test reliability was excellent for the total score (ICC = 0.90 95%CI = 0.84, 0.94) and subscale scores (ICC = 0.84-0.89). Confirmatory factor analysis indicated acceptable fit indices for the three-factor solution. Discussion and implications The MSPSS has robust psychometric properties when used with caregivers of people with dementia and may be recommended for use with this population. Further research is required to establish responsiveness and determine cross-cultural validity

Measuring hope and resilience in carers of people living with dementia: the positive psychology outcome measure for carers (PPOM-C)

OBJECTIVES Positive psychology outcome measures aim to quantitatively document the character strengths that people use to maintain their wellbeing. Positive aspects of caregiving including the use of character strengths is gaining credence in dementia carer literature but there remain few psychometrically robust tools by which to capture this. The current study evaluated the psychometric properties of a newly developed measure of hope and resilience for family carers of people living with dementia. METHODS An online study where family carers (n = 267) completed the newly adapted Positive Psychology Outcome Measure - Carer version (PPOM-C), the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale - Depression subscale (HADS-D), The Short Form Health Survey (SF-12), and The Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS). RESULTS Psychometric analysis indicated strong properties for the PPOM-C in family carers, with two items dropped to improve the internal consistency. Convergent validity was established, with strong correlations between the hope, resilience, depression symptomology, quality of life and social support. A Confirmatory Factor Analysis indicated acceptable model fit. DISCUSSION The PPOM-C is a psychometrically robust tool that can be recommended for use in large scale psychosocial research. The use of this measure in research and practice will provide a more nuanced understanding of the caregiving role and how to support wellbeing in this population

From Chemical Gardens to Fuel Cells: Generation of Electrical Potential and Current Across Self-Assembling Iron Mineral Membranes

We examine the electrochemical gradients that form across chemical garden membranes and investigate how self-assembling, out-of-equilibrium inorganic precipitates—mimicking in some ways those generated in far-from-equilibrium natural systems—can generate electrochemical energy. Measurements of electrical potential and current were made across membranes precipitated both by injection and solution interface methods in iron-sulfide and iron-hydroxide reaction systems. The battery-like nature of chemical gardens was demonstrated by linking multiple experiments in series which produced sufficient electrical energy to light an external light-emitting diode (LED). This work paves the way for determining relevant properties of geological precipitates that may have played a role in hydrothermal redox chemistry at the origin of life, and materials applications that utilize the electrochemical properties of self-organizing chemical systems

Characterization of large in-frame von Willebrand factor deletions highlights differing pathogenic mechanisms

Copy number variation (CNV) is known to cause all von Willebrand disease (VWD) types, although the associated pathogenic mechanisms involved have not been extensively studied. Notably, in-frame CNV provides a unique opportunity to investigate how specific von Willebrand factor (VWF) domains influence the processing and packaging of the protein. Using multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification, this study determined the extent to which CNV contributed to VWD in the Molecular and Clinical Markers for the Diagnosis and Management of Type 1 von Willebrand Disease cohort, highlighting in-frame deletions of exons 3, 4-5, 32-34, and 33-34. Heterozygous in vitro recombinant VWF expression demonstrated that, although deletion of exons 3, 32-34, and 33-34 all resulted in significant reductions in total VWF (P < .0001, P < .001, and P < .01, respectively), only deletion of exons 3 and 32-34 had a significant impact on VWF secretion (P < .0001). High-resolution microscopy of heterozygous and homozygous deletions confirmed these observations, indicating that deletion of exons 3 and 32-34 severely impaired pseudo-Weibel-Palade body (WPB) formation, whereas deletion of exons 33-34 did not, with this variant still exhibiting pseudo-WPB formation similar to wild-type VWF. In-frame deletions in VWD, therefore, contribute to pathogenesis via moderate or severe defects in VWF biosynthesis and secretion

Unfamiliar Territory: Emerging Themes for Ecological Drought Research and Management

Novel forms of drought are emerging globally, due to climate change, shifting teleconnection patterns, expanding human water use, and a history of human influence on the environment that increases the probability of transformational ecological impacts. These costly ecological impacts cascade to human communities, and understanding this changing drought landscape is one of today\u27s grand challenges. By using a modified horizon-scanning approach that integrated scientists, managers, and decision-makers, we identified the emerging issues in ecological drought that represent key challenges to timely and effective responses. Here we review the themes that most urgently need attention, including novel drought conditions, the potential for transformational drought impacts, and the need for anticipatory drought management. This horizon scan and review provides a roadmap to facilitate the research and management innovations that will support forward-looking, co-developed approaches to reduce the risk of drought to our socio-ecological systems during the 21st century. We used a modified horizon-scanning approach that brought together scientists, managers, and decision-makers to identify the emerging issues around the ecological impacts from drought that represent key challenges to effective response. We found three broad themes within ecological drought that need attention, including novel drought conditions, transformational drought impacts, and anticipatory drought management. This horizon scan and integrated review provides a roadmap to inspire the needed research and management innovations to reduce the risk of 21st century droughts