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Team RDC.R: A Language And Environment For Statistical Computing. R Foundation for Statistical Computing: Vienna, Austria
... We calculated separate SPI values that represent different time scales (3 months, SPI-3; 6 months, SPI-6; and 12 months, SPI-12). The SPI values were calculated from the precipitation CHIRPS data mentioned above, by using the SPEI function [62] in R [63]. We also investigated whether environmental variability (in terms of vegetative greenness) affected kudu and impala anthrax case numbers with vegetation greenness or condition estimated using Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), which was obtained from the remotely sensed Landsat 5/7/8/9 at 30 m spatial resolution data through climate engine [64,65]. ...
... We used the Pearson correlation between each pair of variables to determine their relationships at 5% significance level, using R version 4.1.2 [63]. ...
Environmental and climatic factors, as well as host demographics and behaviour, significantly influence the exposure of herbivorous mammalian hosts to pathogens such as Bacillus anthracis, the causative agent of anthrax. Until the early 1990s in Kruger National Park (KNP), kudu (Tragelaphus strepsiceros) was the host species most affected by anthrax, with outbreaks occurring predominantly in the dry season, particularly during drought cycles. However, the most affected host species has shifted to impala (Aepyceros melampus), with more frequent anthrax outbreaks during the wet season. This study investigates the roles of environmental variation and other host species in this shift. Temporal trends in environmental variables such as precipitation, soil moisture, temperature, and normalised difference vegetation index (NDVI) were analyzed in relation to anthrax occurrence (presence/ absence and counts). Additionally, correlations between host species’ densities and anthrax mortalities over time were examined. Anthrax cases in 1990 were concentrated in the central and northern regions of KNP(excluding Pafuri), primarily affected kudus; while subsequent mortalities affected mostly impala and were restricted to the far north, in Pafuri. Significant correlations were found between kudu anthrax mortality and a decrease in NDVI, average temperature, SPI-6 and SPI-12 (Standardised Precipitation Index in various time intervals. Conversely, anthrax occurrence in impalas was associated with a decline in SPI-3, and temperature rise, with increased mortality during the rainy season. Elephant density correlated negatively with kudu mortality, but a positive correlation with both impala mortality and impala density. The study concludes that environmental variables and species’ densities may alter the diversity and frequency of hosts exposed to B. anthracis. Climate extremes and alterations therein may exacerbate anthrax severity by modifying species susceptibility and their probability of exposure over time.
... For analyses, a two-tailed p-value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. The analyses and graphs were performed with the use of statistical software R version 4.2.1 2022 [11]. The matching procedure was carried out using the MatchIt R-package (version 4.6.0) ...
Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of coronary bypass surgery (CABG) on long-term mortality, comparing survival rates to those of the general population in Poland. Methods: The study was based on the Polish National Register of Cardiothoracic Surgical Procedures (KROK). Between January 2009 and December 2019, 133,973 patients underwent CABG. The study included all patients who underwent primary CABG. After excluding reoperations and patients with missing key data, there were 132,760 remaining patients who participated in the study. In order to compare patients who underwent CABG with the general population, data from Polish life expectancy tables from the Central Statistical Office (CSO) were used. Results: In the general population (GP), there is a consistent decrease in survival for both women and men throughout the entire observation period. The decline in survivability is more pronounced in the male group. Unlike the CABG group, which is at risk of perioperative mortality, there is no initial drop in survivability in the GP. The early mortality rate in CABG group within 30 days was significantly higher in the group of women than in men (3.51% compared to 2.19%, p < 0.001). The annual mortality rate was higher in the group of women (6.7% vs. 5.14%), and survival time was shorter (345.5 ± 0.4 vs. 351.2 ± 0.2 days, p < 0.001). However, the total mortality over a 13-year period of observation did not differ significantly between the groups (30.17% for women vs. 29.6% for men, p = 0.996) with survival time 10.08 ± 0.02 years in men vs. 10.06 ± 0.03 in women, p = 0.996. Conclusions: CABG surgery equalizes the probability of survival between genders. In long-term observation men have a greater survival benefit than women if compared to the predicted survival of the general population. These observations may provide a new perspective on the choice of revascularization strategy in relation to gender.
... Interactions with the covariates (moderator analysis) were only presented if they were statistically significant (p < 0.05). For the statistical analysis, the program R was used (version R 4.2.2.) [25]. Table 1 summarizes the descriptive statistics for categorical and numerical variables in both study samples. ...
Background/Objectives: The first year of life represents a critical developmental stage in which the foundations for motor, cognitive, language, and social–emotional development are set. During this time, development occurs rapidly, making early detection of developmental disorders essential for timely intervention. The Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development—Third Edition (Bayley-III) is an effective tool for assessing language, motor, and cognitive development in children aged 1 to 42 months. This study aimed to investigate whether or not the results of the Bayley-III in healthy one-year-old children are predictive for their later motor skills and school performance. Methods: This study had a prospective, longitudinal design. The study participants were healthy children having performed Bayley-III at 1 year with information on motor performance (n = 170) at age 5–10 and school grades (n = 69) at age 7–10. Linear or logistic regression analysis was performed for data analysis. Results: Below-average performance in the cognitive part of the Bayley-III at age 1 was significantly associated with poorer performance in balancing backwards (b = −0.45), sideways jumping (b = −0.42), standing long jump (b = −0.54), and forward bends (b = −0.59) at age 5–10 (all p < 0.05). Performance in other parts of the Bayley-III was not significantly associated with later motor skills. Furthermore, we did not observe any significant associations between performance in the Bayley-III and grades in school. The associations were not moderated by age, sex, or socioeconomic status (all p > 0.05). Conclusions: The cognitive scale of the Bayley-III may be used as a predictive tool for later motor skills. Regarding school performance, the Bayley-III cannot be considered predictive.
... The p-value was adjusted for multiple testing adjustments using a false discovery rate (FDR) (Benjamini-Hochberg). All statistical analyses and visualizations were carried out in the R environment, unless otherwise noted [36]. ...
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most common cancers worldwide. The standard CRC chemo drug, 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU), has a poor response rate and chemoresistance, prompting the need for a more effective and affordable treatment. In this study, we aimed to evaluate whether Prohep, a novel probiotic mixture, would alleviate azoxymethane/dextran sodium sulfate (AOM/DSS)-induced colorectal tumorigenesis and enhance 5-FU efficacy and its mechanism. Our results suggested that Prohep showed stronger anti-tumorigenesis effects than 5-FU alone or when combined in the AOM/DSS model. Prohep significantly reduced the total tumor count, total tumor size, caecum weight, colonic crypt depth, colonic inflammation, and collagen fibrosis. Prohep downregulated pro-inflammatory TNF-α and proliferative p-STAT3 and upregulated apoptotic p53. Metagenomics analysis indicated that Prohep-enriched Helicobacter ganmani, Desulfovibrio porci, Helicobacter hepaticus, and Candidatus Borkfalkia ceftriaxoniphila were inversely correlated to the total tumor count. In addition, Prohep-enriched Prevotella sp. PTAC and Desulfovibrio porci were negatively correlated to AOM/DSS enriched bacteria, while forming a co-existing community with other beneficial bacteria. From KEGG analysis, Prohep downregulated CRC-related pathways and enhanced pathways related to metabolites suppressing CRC like menaquinone, tetrapyrrole, aminolevulinic acid, and tetrahydrofolate. From Metacyc analysis, Prohep downregulated CRC-related peptidoglycan, LPS, and uric acid biosynthesis, and conversion. Prohep elevated the biosynthesis of the beneficial L-lysine, lipoic acid, pyrimidine, and palmitate. Prohep also elevated metabolic pathways related to energy utilization of lactic acid-producing bacteria (LAB) and acetate producers. Similarly, fecal acetate concentration was upregulated by Prohep. To sum up, Prohep demonstrated exceptional anti-tumorigenesis effects in the AOM/DSS model, which revealed its potential to develop into a novel CRC therapeutic in the future.
Graphical Abstract
... Os resultados foram expressos em porcentagem de sementes germinadas. Team, 2020). Com o aumento dos potenciais osmóticos de NaCl, houve um menor número de sementes germinadas por dia assim como foi preciso mais tempo para que as sementes germinassem. ...
O estudo visa realizar a relação entre a mudança na estrutura da paisagem e as emissões de GEE do munícipio. Para assim fornecer subsídios para o desenvolvimento de políticas públicas e práticas de manejo da paisagem que promovam a adequação ambiental, o uso sustentável de recursos naturais e a restauração de áreas degradadas em Conceição das Alagoas - MG, contribuindo assim para a mitigação das emissões de GEE e para o estabelecimento de um munícipio mais resiliente à mudança climática.
... Our extended PMT model was empirically tested using partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) [53,54]. The model was constructed and analyzed using R software version 4.2.2 [55], utilizing the SEMinR package [53], a recent tool designed for PLS-SEM. PLS-SEM was chosen due to its effectiveness with small sample sizes and its ability to handle complex models with multiple structural relationships [53,54]. ...
Adopting sustainable food choices is crucial to mitigating the environmental impacts of food production. Insect-based foods offer a promising alternative with low resource requirements and reduced greenhouse gas emissions. This study examines the psychological factors influencing consumers' intentions to purchase insect-based foods using an extended protection motivation theory (PMT) model that includes disgust as a critical factor. Data from 233 Italian participants were analyzed through partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM). Results indicate that perceived response efficacy-the belief in the environmental benefits of insect consumption-and self-efficacy-confidence in one's ability to incorporate insect-based foods-positively influence purchase intentions. However, strong aversions rooted in disgust and low intrinsic motivation present major barriers, highlighting cultural resistance to entomophagy in Western contexts. Extrinsic motivators such as social recognition, perceived costs, and perceived severity or vulnerability to environmental issues had no significant effect. The findings suggest that effective strategies should focus on reducing disgust and strengthening consumer confidence, emphasizing the environmental benefits to shift attitudes toward sustainable dietary choices.
... A well-known R package (2021) [53] known as caret [41] s used to apply four popular machine learning classifiers: KNN, NB, RF, and SVM. Here is a brief overview of the four classifiers: ...
Glutamic proteases (GPs) represent one of the seven peptidase families described in the MEROPS database of peptidases (also known as proteases, proteinases, and proteolytic enzymes). Currently, the GP family is divided into six sub-families (G1–G6) distributed across three clans (GA, GB, and GC). A glutamic acid and another variable amino acid are the catalytic residues in this family. Members of the GP family are involved in a wide variety of biological functions. For example, they act as bacterial and plant pathogens, and are involved in cancer and celiac disease. These enzymes are considered potential drug targets given their crucial roles in numerous biological processes. Characterizing GPs provides insights into their structure–function relationships, enabling the design of specific inhibitors or modulators. Such advancements directly contribute to drug discovery by identifying novel therapeutic targets and guiding the development of potent and selective drugs for various diseases, including cancers and autoimmune disorders. To address the challenges associated with labor-intensive experimental methods, we developed GPpred, an innovative support vector machine (SVM)-based predictor to identify GPs from their primary sequences. The workflow involves systematically extracting six distinct feature sets from primary sequences, and optimization using a recursive feature elimination (RFE) algorithm to identify the most informative hybrid encodings. These optimized encodings were then used to evaluate multiple machine learning classifiers, including K-Nearest Neighbors (KNNs), Random Forest (RF), Naïve Bayes (NB), and SVM. Among these, the SVM demonstrated a consistent performance, with an accuracy of 97% during the cross-validation and independent validation. Computational methods like GPpred accelerate this process by analyzing large datasets, predicting potential enzyme targets, and prioritizing candidates for experimental validation, thereby significantly reducing time and costs. GPpred will be a valuable tool for discovering GPs from large datasets, and facilitating drug discovery efforts by narrowing down viable therapeutic candidates.
... All analyses were conducted using the statistical software R v. 4.4. [50]. ...
Silicon (Si) has been extensively studied for its ability to decrease sodium (NaCl) toxicity in various plant species. Nonetheless, the processes that drive these responses are still not well understood. In this study, we investigate the effects of silicon (Si) on the modification of hydrogen peroxide concentration [H2O2], photosynthetic pigment content, nutrient accumulation, and the production of root and shoot dry biomass in sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) plants hydroponically grown with NaCl (0 and 100 mM) in combination with Si (0 and 2.0 mM). Salt stress induced a significant decrease in plant growth due to high [H2O2] and a decrease in photosynthetic pigment content and nutritional status, denoting that there is oxidative and ionic stress. Nevertheless, Si addition to the growth medium consistently decreased the [H2O2] in sunflower and photosynthetic pigment content, and macro- and micronutrient accumulation, which was associated with an increase in root and shoot dry matter production. These findings indicate that adding Si to the growth medium is crucial for enhancing plant resistance to salt-induced ionic and osmotic stress, making it a promising strategy for improving crop growth and management under salinity conditions.
Premise
Plants can limit the leaf tissue consumed by insect herbivores through chemical, structural, and nutritional leaf defenses or by escaping in space and time. Escaping is related to the phenological patterns of plants, which in turn respond to climatic factors. This study evaluated leaf production in a coastal plant community in southern Brazil to test the following hypotheses: (1) Leaves are continuously produced in this ecosystem, and (2) synchrony acts as an escape strategy from herbivory.
Methods
We evaluated leaf production patterns of 20 herbaceous, shrub, and tree species for 2 years using the Fournier index then measured leaf consumption in the second year. The Rayleigh test was used to verify the synchrony of phenological events. Correlations between leaf production and climatic factors and between leaf production synchrony and herbivory were analyzed.
Results
New leaves were continuously produced at the plant community scale, but herbaceous and shrub species showed a phenological pattern distinct from that of tree species. Trees had peaks of synchrony in leaf production that were positively correlated with amount of leaf tissue consumed, refuting the hypothesis that synchrony acts as an escape strategy.
Conclusions
The phenological and herbivory patterns in this plant community may be due to the supply of resources in the soil and the composition of the insect community.
Declining cognitive abilities can be a concomitant of advanced age. As language is closely associated with cognitive abilities, changes in language abilities can be an important marker of changes in cognitive abilities. The current study is to review cognitive studies of language and aging by first identifying and exploring the major clusters and pivotal articles and then detecting emerging trends. Data of 3, 266 articles on language and aging from 2013 to 2022 were collected from the Web of Science Core Collection database. Adopting Document Co-citation Analysis, Freeman’s betweenness centrality metric (Freeman, 2002) and Kleinberg’s burst detection algorithm (Kleinberg, 2002), we explored major clusters, pivotal articles and emerging trends in this field. Cognition appears to be the most remarkable cluster. Bilingualism, speech production, listening effort, and reading comprehension are other major active clusters in a certain period. The most recent active cluster concerns the studies of Alzheimer’s disease. Articles serving as pivotal points concentrate on cognitive studies of the Framework for Understanding Effortful Listening (FUEL), the new Ease of Language Understanding model (EUL) and a hierarchical multi-representational generative framework of language comprehension. The progress in statistical methods, the relationship between language and cognitive impairment and the relationship between language abilities and cognition are the emerging trends. These emerging trends will provide some insights into how cognitive abilities influence language abilities in aging.
A classification model is proposed for distinguishing between several subpopulations using a multivariate count dataset. The classification rule, which minimizes the probability of misclassification, is obtained under the distributional hypothesis of a multivariate log-linear conditional Poisson distribution. A sample classification rule is defined based on the maximum likelihood estimators of the distributional parameters. This rule is based on functions associated with each one of the subpopulations, or equivalently, on the estimated posterior probabilities. Additionally, the likelihood ratio test of equality of the parameters for all the subpopulations is analyzed, providing a measure of the power to discriminate between subpopulations. Furthermore, an algorithm to determine the most suitable subset of counting variables for classification is proposed. Finally, actual and simulated datasets are considered to illustrate the application of the methodology.
In recent years the issues surrounding pollinator conservation and pollinator decline has been brought to the forefront of both the public and government. Declines are multifaceted and pollinator conservation and restoration tends to focus on open ecosystems, such as prairie and meadow habitats, where there exists a large body of research on the benefits of restoring such habitats for pollinators. However, this does not address the other ecosystems that pollinators can be found in and what critical role those habitats may play in the lifecycles of those species. I surveyed the bee and wasp community present in the Dundas Valley Region of Hamilton in southern Ontario, Canada across 5 distinct habitat types; open fields, forest edges, forests, forested groundwater fed springs, and wetlands. The abundance and richness of floral resources within these habitats and what role this might play at different times of the year was also surveyed. 10 focal species, belonging to 6 genera were chosen as a subset of the population to test for habitat use and movement on the landscape. I found that all habitat types were utilized by bees and wasps to varying degrees, depending on species, time of year, and resource availability. Males and females of the same species did not necessarily utilize the same habitats at the same time of year and there was clear evidence of population movement between these areas and habitat preference. Showing the clear need for a “big picture” approach to pollinator conservation and a need to move away from the standard restoration practice of simply creating open meadows and prairies. This does not address the diverse and heterogeneous habitat requirements needed over the course of their life cycles. Conservation efforts should focus on diversifying the types of habitats being restored on the landscape and recognizing the importance of existing remnant natural features that may add to the heterogeneity of the landscape and to the benefit of pollinator communities.
Aquatic pathogens often cannot tolerate drying, and thus their spread, and diversity across a landscape may depend on interactions between hydrological conditions and the movement of infected hosts. The aquatic fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd) is a nearly ubiquitous pathogen of amphibians and particular lineages have been associated with host declines. By coupling amphibian surveys with molecular pathogen detection and genotyping techniques, we characterized the spatial dynamics and genetic diversity of Bd on a landscape containing both permanent and ephemeral ponds. In doing so, we aimed to clarify how pathogen loads and prevalences vary across seasons and among habitat types, and which host species move the pathogen from place to place. At the start of spring breeding, Bd prevalence was lower on amphibians sampled from ephemeral ponds. For the remainder of the amphibian active season, prevalence was similar across both ephemeral and permanent ponds, with variation in prevalence being well-explained by a hump-shaped relationship with host body temperature. The first amphibians to arrive at these ephemeral ponds infected were species that breed in ephemeral ponds and likely emerged infected from terrestrial hibernacula. However, species from permanent ponds, most of which hibernate aquatically, later visited the ephemeral ponds and these animals had a greater prevalence and load of Bd, suggesting that migrants among ponds and pond types also move Bd across the landscape. The Bd we sampled was genetically diverse within ponds but showed little genetic structure among ponds, host species, or seasons. Taken together, our findings suggest that Bd can be diverse even at small scales and moves readily across a landscape with help from a wide variety of hosts.
This study evaluated the effects of the proximity of a domestic discharge
on the biometric characteristics of the harpacticoid copepod Euterpina
acutifrons in the Oum Er Rbia estuary (Atlantic coast, Morocco). Using
comparative sampling between two locations - one near the discharge,
potentially facing high pollution levels, and a less affected one - we
measured six biometric traits of adult males and females under a light
microscope. The Mann-Whitney test was utilized to analyze biometric
variations. The results showed that at the discharge location (station S1),
female total lengths ranged from 531.60 to 675.16μm (average 585.87±
54.70), and male lengths ranged from 451.20 to 578.94μm (average 502.45±
52.64). In contrast, at station S2, further from the discharge, female lengths
varied from 553.46 to 634.46μm (average 596.78± 29.79), and male lengths
varied from 472.97 to 641.54μm (average 578.83± 71.57). These
measurements indicated a significant reduction in all mean biometric values,
except head width, in males close to the discharge. No significant variations
were found in females. A stronger positive correlation between biometric
parameters was observed in males than in females. These findings are
crucial for estuary conservation and management, highlighting the
importance of monitoring pollution's effects on planktonic populations.
The anal organs (AO) of Drosophila larvae provide a textbook example of phenotypic developmental plasticity as they expand in low osmolarity conditions and shrink when larvae are reared on a high-salt medium. Waddington (1953) experimentally showed that these plastic changes might undergo “genetic as similation”: the adaptive plastic change in the size of AO under high salinity conditions became hereditary after a few generations of rearing on a high-salt medium. Later attempts to replicate this finding produced ambiguous results. To clarify the question, we analyzed plastic osmolarity-related changes in the size of AO in three D. melanogaster lines adapted to low, intermediate, and high osmolarity during a long-term evolutionary experiment. We failed to replicate the genetic assimilation. However, we find that the reaction norm became wider in the low osmolarity adapted line. Additionally, we studied the fine structure of AO in fly lines using dying, SEM, and microtomography and revealed phenotypic plasticity of nanoscale pits on the surface of AO as well as confirmed the reduction of the epithelial cells of AO in flies adapted to higher osmolarity.
Background/Objectives: Child acute malnutrition is a global public health problem, affecting 45 million children under 5 years of age. The World Health Organization recommends monitoring weight gain weekly as an indicator of the correct treatment. However, simplified protocols that do not record the weight and base diagnosis and follow-up in arm circumference at discharge are being tested in emergency settings. The present study aims to use machine learning techniques to predict weight gain based on the socio-economic characteristics at admission for the children treated under a simplified protocol in the Diffa region of Niger. Methods: The sample consists of 535 children aged 6–59 months receiving outpatient treatment for acute malnutrition, for whom information on 51 socio-economic variables was collected. First, the Variable Selection Using Random Forest (VSURF) algorithm was used to select the variables associated with weight gain. Subsequently, the dataset was partitioned into training/testing, and an ensemble model was adjusted using five algorithms for prediction, which were combined using a Random Forest meta-algorithm. Afterward, Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curves were used to identify the optimal cut-off point for predicting the group of individuals most vulnerable to developing low weight gain. Results: The critical variables that influence weight gain are water, hygiene and sanitation, the caregiver’s employment–socio-economic level and access to treatment. The final ensemble prediction model achieved a better fit (R2 = 0.55) with respect to the individual algorithms (R2 = 0.14–0.27). An optimal cut-off point was identified to establish low weight gain, with an Area Under the Curve (AUC) of 0.777 at a value of <6.5 g/kg/day. The ensemble model achieved a success rate of 84% (78/93) at the identification of individuals below <6.5 g/kg/day in the test set. Conclusions: The results highlight the importance of adapting the cut-off points for weight gain to each context, as well as the practical usefulness that these techniques can have in optimizing and adapting to the treatment in humanitarian settings.
The “Ladoga” carbon supersite is part of the All-Russian carbon monitoring national system, it is located in the Boreal coniferous forest zone, and work is underway here to implement measures to control the emission of greenhouse gases. This study reports data on the total and carbon-associated diversity of the soil microbes of reference soils. We obtained 729 amplicon sequence variants from 35 soil samples. Total diversity is represented by 11 phyla of bacteria and 1 phylum of methanogenic archaea (for Histosol). Carbon-cycling bacteria diversity is represented by six phyla (Actinobacteriota; Proteobacteria; Acidobacteriota; Bacteroiodota; Firmicutes; and Verrucomicrobiota). The dominant carbon-cycling bacteria in the studied soils are Actinobacteriota and Proteobacteria. The analysis of α- and β-diversity allowed us to identify three clusters of microbiota different in taxonomic composition — these are topsoil of Podzol and subsoil of Podzol (statistically significant (p < 0.05) differences in abundance for Proteobacteria and Verrucomicrobiota were revealed). Histosol is distinguished in a separate cluster of microbial diversity; it differs from Podzol in the abundance of carbon-cycling bacteria by Proteobacteria and Bacteroiodota (p < 0.0001). Further studies of the soil microbiome of the “Ladoga” carbon supersite should be focused on the study of functionally specialized groups of carbon and nitrogen cycle microbes and their ecosystem functions.
Objective: To assess date losses during harvest and identify the factors causing them. Design/methodology/approach: A complete randomized block design with ten repetitions was used; the different farms where data on the evaluated variables were taken were the treatments. In each treatment, 10 plants were selected from which data on average fruit weight, polar and equatorial fruit diameter, fruit weight, number of clusters per plant, and yield in tons per hectare were taken. Results: For yield in tons per hectare of good fruits during the date harvest in the 2023 cycle, an average of 11 t ha-1, 14 t ha-1, 8 t ha-1, and 15 t ha-1 was found for the plantations of El Pólvora, El Pino, Las Palmas and Cucapah respectively. In losses during the harvest, Cucapah Farm presented the highest losses with an average of 1.2 t ha-1, while El Pino was the one that presented the lowest losses with an average of 0.7 t ha-1. Fruits with a percentage greater than 10% of peeled skin are also considered losses during the harvest, because they cannot be marketed for fresh consumption. Limitations on study/implications: Data were collected only from the harvest; exact dates of irrigation and fertilizer application are not available as the study was conducted with cooperating producers. This factor is crucial for the quality and yield of date palm cultivars. Findings/conclusions: The age of the plant represents a significant difference in the yield per hectare due to the number of clusters it has; the more clusters it has, the higher the yield. The relative humidity directly affects the quality of the dates, and there are a more significant number of bulging fruits (with peeled skin). In this evaluation, we found that the rains during August and September 2023 significantly affected the losses during the date harvest in that season.
Waldenstrom macroglobulinemia (WM) is a non-Hodgkin B-cell lymphoma, characterized by bone marrow infiltration with plasma cells and lymphocytes. The tumor microenvironment (TME) plays an important role in mediating WM cell biology, but the effects of macrophages on WM biology remains unclear. Here, we investigated the effects of macrophages on WM growth and survival and identified a novel role for transcription factor GLI3 in macrophage polarization. We found that co-culture of M0 and M2 macrophages promoted WM cell growth and survival, and co-culture WM cells with M0 macrophages induced M2-like phenotypes. Interestingly, GLI3 expression was induced in M2 macrophages (not M1), leading us to perform analysis of macrophages from mice lacking Gli3 in myeloid cells (M-Gli3−/− mice). A subset of differentially expressed genes implicated a role for GLI3 in macrophage polarization. Macrophages from M-Gli3−/− mice did not induce WM cell proliferation and reduced survival compared to M2 macrophages from WT mice. In addition, in vitro polarization of M0 macrophages from M-Gli3−/− was not able to induce M2 markers such as CD163, despite inducing iNos expression (M1 marker). Taken together, these results suggest a role for M2 macrophages in promoting WM cell growth and identify GLI3 as a modulator of macrophage polarization.
The term “nondetects” describes observations that are not fully observed because the true value is below a detection threshold—and can therefore not be precisely detected. One may also consider them a special case of left-censored data. Nondetects occur frequently, for instance, in life sciences research in medicine or microbiology. This article examines the use of nonparametric inference methods for multivariate data in factorial designs in situations where nondetects are present, and it evaluates their performance. The focus is on testing hypotheses regarding interaction and main factor effects. The nonparametric centerpiece of the methodology is assuming the nonparametric relative effect (probabilistic index) and its generalizations as the functional on which inference is built, along with the respective invariance properties of the resulting tests. On this basis, we apply and evaluate recently proposed nonparametric analogs to the following types of multivariate test statistics: (1) Wald-type statistic (WTS), (2) ANOVA-type statistic (ATS), (3) Lawley–Hotelling trace, (4) Wilks Lambda (Likelihood ratio), (5) Bartlett–Nanda–Pillai trace. Except for the WTS, all the mentioned methods are available through the R-package nparmd . Extensive simulations and a case study from the field of microbiology demonstrate that the proposed methods can handle commonly occurring rates of nondetects without substantial impairment of specificity and sensitivity.
Researchers have explored artificial intelligence (AI) applications across educational contexts; however, there is a lack of meta-analysis focused on students with disabilities (SWDs). This study examined the overall effect of AI-based interventions on SWDs’ learning outcomes in 29 (quasi-)experimental studies conducted globally. We used cultural historical activity theory (CHAT) to explore how the effect was moderated by factors, including participant-, AI-, AI-SWD interaction-, intervention-, and methodology-related characteristics. Results indicated a medium effect (Hedge’s g = 0.588) of interventions operating through robots, computer software, and intelligent VR systems. There were no statistically significant moderators. Regardless, this study contributes to a holistic understanding of historical dimensions of AI applications for SWDs and offers critical theoretical implications for future investigations. We call for more rigorous research to explore AI that not only ensures accessibility but also promotes opportunities for SWDs to take an agentic role in participating in and contributing to AI-mediated learning activities.
O arroz-daninho (Oryza sativa) e o capim-arroz (Echinochloa spp.) se destacam como plantas daninhas no arroz irrigado, com casos de resistência a herbicidas. A mistura de herbicidas no tanque de pulverização é necessária para o controle dessas espécies, cujos inibidores da acetil coenzima-A carboxilase (ACCase) são muito utilizados. O objetivo deste trabalho foi determinar as doses de controle e a interação dos herbicidas bentazon e florpyrauxifen-benzyl em mistura com o propaquizafop para Oryza sativa e Echinochloa colona utilizando o método de isobolograma. Foram realizados 6 experimentos, primeiramente curvas de dose-resposta dos herbicidas bentazon, florpyrauxifen e propaquizafop para arroz-daninho e capim-arroz e testando 10 doses. Os dados foram ajustados no modelo logístico de quatro parâmetros para obtenção do parâmetro ED50 (dose que proporciona 50% de redução da massa seca), a partir do qual foram definidas as doses para os isobologramas. Foram realizados 3 isobologramas, sendo que cada isobolograma continha 35 tratamentos, contendo cinco proporções em mistura (100:0, 75:20; 50:50; 25:75; 0:100) de propaquizafop:bentazon/florpyrauxifen e sete doses dos herbicidas a partir da ED50 obtida previamente para cada herbicida. A análise estatística foi realizada utilizando o software R, com o pacote drc. Para as curvas de dose-resposta os dados foram ajustados ao modelo sigmoidal logístico de quatro parâmetros, já para os isobologramas as proporções de cada variável foram submetidas ao teste de falta-de-ajuste (p≥0,05). As curvas de dose-resposta para os herbicidas propaquizafop, florpyrauxifen e bentazon ajustaram-se ao modelo e foi obtida a ED50 para cada planta daninha. Para arroz-daninho com a mistura de propaquizafop e florpyrauxifen, todas as interações foram aditivas. Na mistura de propaquizafop com florpyrauxifen para o controle de capim-arroz, as interações variaram com a proporção dos dois herbicidas na mistura, sendo sinérgica, antagônica e aditiva para as proporções 25:75, 50:50, 75:25 de propaquizafop:florpyrauxifen, respectivamente. As interações de propaquizafop podem variar de acordo com a proporção de cada herbicida na mistura e a espécie daninha.
Identification of the origins of maritime-traded porcelain, though key to unravelling ancient production and trade dynamics, remains challenging. The authors present a pioneering micro-provenance analysis of Dehua-style porcelain from the late-twelfth-century Nanhai I shipwreck, recovered from the South China Sea. By pinpointing the origins of porcelain subtypes, including those bearing ink inscriptions, this study provides greater nuance in understanding spatial patterns of production and the impact of buyer/seller choice in maritime trade. The findings further highlight the effectiveness of portable x-ray fluorescence as a high-precision provenancing analysis and offer insights into porcelain production timelines in south-east China.
The improvement in next-generation sequencing technologies has reduced the costs of sequencing significantly. However, library preparation costs for amplicon sequencing have remained largely unchanged, which is ultimately the cost-limiting step in processing large numbers of microbiome samples. Acoustic liquid handlers can transfer volumes as low as 2.5 nL and have been used to miniaturize several different molecular and cellular assays, including single-step polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplicon library preparations. However, there are no current methods available for a two-step library preparation process using an acoustic liquid handler. In this study, we tested the efficiency of an acoustic liquid handler to automate the PCRs and library quantification while also incorporating automated library bead cleanup. We compared the material usage and costs for library preparation and sequencing results of this automated method to the standard, manual method. The automated protocol was able to reduce both PCR reaction volumes five-fold and increased efficiency for library preparation by ~32% without affecting bacterial community compositions. The associated increase in efficiency of our automated method will allow for greater throughput in sequencing hundreds of microbiome samples without affecting the quality of those sequences.
Climate change is affecting freshwater systems, leading to increased water temperatures, which is posing a threat to freshwater ecological communities. In the Nechako River, British Columbia, a water management program has been in place since the 1980s to maintain water temperatures at 20 °C during the migration of adult Sockeye salmon. However, the program's effectiveness in mitigating the impacts of climate change on resident species like Chinook salmon's thermal exposure is uncertain. In this study, we utilised the CEQUEAU hydrological model and life stage-specific physiological data to evaluate the consequences of the current program on Chinook salmon's thermal exposure under two contrasting climate change and socio-economic scenarios (SSP2-4.5 and SSP5-8.5). The results indicate that the thermal exposure risk is projected to be above the optimal threshold for parr (intermediate juvenile) and adult life stages under both scenarios relative to the 1980s. Under the SSP5-8.5 scenario, these life stages could experience an increase in thermal exposure ranging from two to five times higher by the 2090s compared to the 1980s. This exposure is projected to occur during the months in which these life stages emerge, including the period when the program is active (July 20th to August 20th). Additionally, our study shows that climate change will result in a substantial rise in cumulative heat degree days, ranging from 1.9 to 5.8 times (2050s) and 2.9 to 12.9 times (2090s) in comparison to the 1980s under SSP5-8.5. Our study highlights the need for a holistic approach to reviewing the current Nechako management plan, ensuring that all species in the Nechako River system are considered especially in the face of climate change.
Discriminating two similar candidate statistical models for a given data set based on the conventional ratio of maximized likelihood values has been studied extensively in the literature. The problem of model discrimination becomes more complicated when the candidate models resemble each other closely for a certain region in the parametric space, with only a handful of different characteristics that are difficult to extract or identify from a given data set. The conventional method may fail to provide conclusive discriminatory evidence toward either model for such cases. In this paper, a novel discrimination criterion based on the density power divergence is proposed for model discrimination between the generalized exponential distribution and the Weibull distribution. Along with the discriminating procedure, asymptotic properties of the associated discriminating statistic are discussed. A Monte Carlo simulation study is used to evaluate the performance of the proposed model discrimination method and compare it with the ratio of the maximized likelihood method under different scenarios with and without contamination. A numerical example is presented to illustrate the proposed model discrimination method developed here.
Juglans neotropic is a forest species native to the Andes, of great socioeconomic importance for its fine wood and high commercial value, its fruits are used in confectionery, its leaves in medicine, it is a source of juglone (ichthyotoxic and fungistatic molecule) and dyes or dyes. At the moment it is an endangered species due to the overexploitation of its wood, which has a negative impact on its natural regeneration and genetic erosion. The dasometric characteristics of 156 J. neotropica trees from mothers of superior characteristics, collected in the province of Tungurahua, were investigated. All individuals were obtained from open-pollinated seed. Planting was carried out in the real frame system of 4 m x 4 m, in a randomized incomplete block design with 19 replications, with one tree per family per repetition (single tree plot). Conventional statistical analysis detected no significant differences. However, the techniques of multivariate analysis of main coordinates and the HJ-Biplot, generated 3 groups of trees identified as superior, intermediate and surveillance. Trees of the J18, J22, J13, J20, J14, J37, J9 and TOAFP1 families stood out, which should be considered in the selection process of parent trees in forest genetic improvement programs of the species.
En la última década, el lenguaje inclusivo de género y, más específicamente, las formas no binarias, se han incorporado a la agenda social, política, académica y mediática de Argentina y de toda la comunidad hispanohablante. A pesar de la difusión del lenguaje inclusivo de género, no hay una visión unívoca en cuanto a qué formas refiere: duplicación ('alumnos y alumnas'), neutralización ('alumnado'), innovación ('alumnes, alumnxs') o todas. Por su parte, las universidades han sido un actor relevante en la discusión, ya que se han expedido acerca del uso del lenguaje inclusivo de género y han desarrollado guías para su empleo en el ámbito universitario. En Argentina, particularmente, universidades nacionales y provinciales se han pronunciado a favor de su uso. No obstante, en el plano académico no abundan los estudios sobre su uso, las situaciones de uso y quiénes lo utilizan. En este artículo, presentamos los resultados de una encuesta realizada a 174 estudiantes universitaries de Argentina (mayoritariamente del Área Metropolitana de Buenos Aires) en la que indagamos sobre el reporte de uso de las formas no binarias ([-e] y [-x]) y la incidencia que distintas variables sociales-como la edad, la identidad de género y la carrera universitaria-pueden tener en su uso. Encontramos que dos tercios de les encuestades refieren utilizar las formas no binarias con mayor o menor frecuencia y que quienes más las utilizan son personas jóvenes y mujeres o personas de la comunidad LGBTIQ+.
Interprofessional education (IPE) occurs when learners from multiple disciplines collaborate to learn with, and from, each other. The goal of IPE is to encourage learners to seek interprofessional collaboration (IPC) in future practice, consequently improving patient health outcomes. However, implementing IPE within existing curricula is challenging due to constraints based on location and timing. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether IPE could be delivered effectively through a virtual learning platform.
Learners from 12 different health professions across three universities were invited to participate in a virtual IPE workshop. Following the workshop, learners’ attitudes were measured using an online survey. Areas such as learning outcome and effectiveness of the virtual platform were assessed using a 5-point Likert scale ranging from strongly agree to strongly disagree. Average responses were calculated from response frequencies. Three open-ended items were analyzed using content analysis for themes and reported as response frequencies.
A total of 1051/1345 (78%) surveys were completed. Overall, learners indicated improved understanding of their own and others’ roles plus various scopes of practice and increased confidence in communication with learners from other health professions. Learners also found IPE Day to be a meaningful learning experience and provided constructive feedback for future iterations of the event.
Healthcare learners were favorable toward the virtual delivery of IPC educational events. These findings therefore support the deliverance of future IPE activities between rural and urban healthcare learners and may demonstrate an avenue to bridge urban–rural healthcare gaps by supporting interprofessional collaboration across geographies.
Context The guanaco (Lama guanicoe) is one of the four species of South American camels, and is the largest native mammal inhabiting arid and semi-arid environments in South America. Although the guanaco was abundant and widely distributed in the past, currently its density and distribution range are substantially reduced, inhabiting mainly Southern Patagonia in small isolated groups. The decline in guanaco populations is most likely related to the Anthropocene defaunation process that is affecting large mammals in developing countries worldwide, but the extent and causes of these changes are not well understood. Aims To explore both the changes in the distribution of guanaco populations in Northwest Patagonia and the environmental and anthropic factors that shaped the distribution patterns, by employing a long-term perspective spanning from the end of the Late Holocene to present times (i.e. the last 2500 years). Methods We combine archaeological information, ethnohistorical records and current observations and apply Species Distribution Models using bioclimatic and anthropic factors as explanatory variables. Key results Guanaco spatial distribution in Northwest Patagonia changed significantly throughout time. This change consisted in the displacement of the species towards the east of the region and its disappearance from northwest Neuquén and southwest Mendoza in the last 30 years. In particular, the high-density urban settlements and roads, and secondly, competition with ovicaprine livestock (goats and sheep) for forage are the main factors explaining the change in guanaco distribution. Conclusions Guanaco and human populations co-existed in the same areas during the Late Holocene and historic times (16th to 19th centuries), but during the 20th century the modern anthropic impact generated a spatial dissociation between both species, pushing guanaco populations to drier and more unproductive areas that were previously peripheral in its distribution. Implications As with many other large mammal species in developing countries, Northwest Patagonia guanaco populations are undergoing significant changes in their range due to modern anthropic activities. Considering that these events are directly related to population declines and extirpations, together with the striking low density recorded for Northwest Patagonia guanaco populations, urgent management actions are needed to mitigate current human impacts.
Background
The association between cannabis and psychosis is established, but the role of underlying genetics is unclear. We used data from the EU-GEI case-control study and UK Biobank to examine the independent and combined effect of heavy cannabis use and schizophrenia polygenic risk score (PRS) on risk for psychosis.
Methods
Genome-wide association study summary statistics from the Psychiatric Genomics Consortium and the Genomic Psychiatry Cohort were used to calculate schizophrenia and cannabis use disorder (CUD) PRS for 1098 participants from the EU-GEI study and 143600 from the UK Biobank. Both datasets had information on cannabis use.
Results
In both samples, schizophrenia PRS and cannabis use independently increased risk of psychosis. Schizophrenia PRS was not associated with patterns of cannabis use in the EU-GEI cases or controls or UK Biobank cases. It was associated with lifetime and daily cannabis use among UK Biobank participants without psychosis, but the effect was substantially reduced when CUD PRS was included in the model. In the EU-GEI sample, regular users of high-potency cannabis had the highest odds of being a case independently of schizophrenia PRS (OR daily use high-potency cannabis adjusted for PRS = 5.09, 95% CI 3.08–8.43, p = 3.21 × 10 ⁻¹⁰ ). We found no evidence of interaction between schizophrenia PRS and patterns of cannabis use.
Conclusions
Regular use of high-potency cannabis remains a strong predictor of psychotic disorder independently of schizophrenia PRS, which does not seem to be associated with heavy cannabis use. These are important findings at a time of increasing use and potency of cannabis worldwide.
The importance of data sharing in organizational science is well-acknowledged, yet the field faces hurdles that prevent this, including concerns around privacy, proprietary information, and data integrity. We propose that synthetic data generated using machine learning (ML) could offer one promising solution to surmount at least some of these hurdles. Although this technology has been widely researched in the field of computer science, most organizational scientists are not familiar with it. To address the lack of available information for organizational scientists, we propose a systematic framework for the generation and evaluation of synthetic data. This framework is designed to guide researchers and practitioners through the intricacies of applying ML technologies to create robust, privacy-preserving synthetic data. Additionally, we present two empirical demonstrations using the ML method of generative adversarial networks (GANs) to illustrate the practical application and potential of synthetic data in organizational science. Through this exploration, we aim to furnish the community with a foundational understanding of synthetic data generation and encourage further investigation and adoption of these methodologies. By doing so, we hope to foster scientific advancement by enhancing data-sharing initiatives within the field.
Introduction: This study aims to investigate the relationship between olfactory identification (OI) and cognitive impairment by examining OI abilities across various stages of cognitive deterioration. Methods: A total of 264 participants were divided into three groups based on cognitive status: cognitively healthy, subjective cognitive, and mild cognitive impairment. All participants were assessed using the Sniffin’ Sticks Olfactory Identification test and a comprehensive neuropsychological test battery. Results: Our results highlight the main effects of age and cognitive status on OI scores. Regarding cognitive abilities, OI is associated with measures of short-term memory, long-term, working memory, and selective attention. Finally, logistic regression models showed that OI is a significant predictor for discriminating SCD from CH, MCI from CH, and MCI from SCD. Discussion: These findings suggest the addition of olfactory identification measures in neuropsychological assessments could improve the early detection of individuals at risk for cognitive impairment.
Photosymbioses, in which unicellular autotrophs reside within heterotrophic hosts, are critical ecological interactions in terms of global biomass, species diversity and primary production. Such associations are under threat from environmental warming; while specific impacts, particularlyin the coral-zooxanthellae interaction, arethoroughly documented, ecologists lack a general theoretical framework describing the impacts of temperature change on photo-symbiotic interactions. Here, i apply principles of the metabolic theory of ecology (MTE) to assess the metabolic basis of the temperature-induced disruption of photosymbiosis in the microbial Paramecium bursaria — Chlorella spp. association. In contrast to the general predictionthat net autotrophy should decrease with temperature, this microbial photosymbiosis harboured larger algalsymbiont populationsand consumed fewer prey with warming, suggestive of increased net autotrophywith warming — a pattern that held across strains isolated from three different continents. This observation appeared to be a simple consequence of the response of symbiont growth rate. I conclude that a metabolic framework for photosymbiosis may prove insightful, but the ecological dynamics of the associations (e.g. mixotrophic strategy) must be considered in tandem.
Este trabalho descreve e analisa a grafia das formas fonológicas /u/ e /l/ em posição pós-vocálica, com foco nos erros (orto)gráficos de ditongos fonológicos, morfológicos e derivados de /l/. Os dados deste estudo foram extraídos do Banco de Textos de Aquisição da Linguagem Escrita (BATALE) e foram produzidos por alunos do 1º ao 3º ano do Ensino Fundamental. Os resultados mostram que as diferenças entre os ditongos, observáveis na relação entre os níveis fonológico, fonético e ortográfico, repercutem nas grafias produzidas pelas crianças. A maior incidência de erros foi observada nas grafias dos ditongos derivados de /l/, o que contribui para a discussão referente às representações fonológicas construídas pelas crianças relativamente a esta estrutura. Também sugere, com o apoio dos dados de desenvolvimento fonológico, que a rima VL postulada para a gramática adulta parece ter estatuto VV na fonologia das crianças, sendo passível de reestruturação a partir da consolidação da escrita ortográfica. Os resultados referentes ao ditongo morfológico mostram efeito da fala, especialmente para verbos de primeira conjugação, e também a entrada da informação ortográfica, por meio de dados de supergeneralização. Já os ditongos fonológicos são aqueles com grafias mais estáveis graças à correspondência fonologia-ortografia.
Although wetlands serve various ecological functions, the relationships among the functions remain unclear. From an ecological perspective, abandoned rice paddies may function as wetlands. We analyzed the relationship between the ecological functions of nitrogen removal from surface water and habitat provisioning to wetland plants in 32 wetlands that originated from abandoned rice paddies in the catchment of Lake Inbanuma, Japan. Results of a principal component analysis suggested that these functions can be synergistic in wetlands with a greater rate of spring water discharge, water depth, and canopy openness. The importance of water depth for both functions was also revealed by generalized linear models. We conducted an experimental restoration in a dry abandoned rice paddy in which the surface water depth was increased by damming an artificial drainage channel. After the restoration, the nitrate ion concentration at the outlet of the site had declined by half. Furthermore, seven endangered wetland species were re-established from the propagule banks. Our results suggest that through improvement of the hydrological condition of abandoned paddy fields, they can become wetlands that contribute to water quality management and biodiversity conservation.
The objectives of this study were to provide quantitative data on the incidence of waterbird disturbance responses that can be used to inform assessments of marine activities. The responses were recorded of Great Northern Diver, Cormorant and Shag to marine traffic following the navigation channel at Roches Point, Cork Harbour. Disturbance responses occurred in 13% of Great Northern Diver, 15% of Cormorant and 11% of Shag observations. Most responses occurred within 300 m of the passing vessel and the probability of a response decreased from 32% within 0-100 m to 12% at a distance of 200-300 m. There were higher probabilities of responses by non-feeding birds and for larger vessels. No differences were detected between species in the probability of a response, but, when a response did occur, it was initiated at much greater distances from the approaching vessel in Great Northern Divers compared to Cormorants and Shags. These results will help to inform assessments of developments that will cause increases in marine traffic in, or near, important coastlines for wintering waterbirds.
In modern nonmarine settings, previous studies have demonstrated the importance of elevation-correlated ecological gradients, but such studies tend to focus on relatively small areas and only one higher taxon. Here, we analyze Global Biodiversity Information Facility occurrence records from a wide variety of taxa across the southeastern U.S. coastal plain. Many taxa display ecological gradients (gradients in proportional or relative abundance) correlated with elevation, distance to the coast, and latitude. These gradients tend to be steepest within a few tens of kilometers near the coast and at elevations less than 25 m. Some taxa, notably terrestrial mammals, do not display gradients correlated with elevation and distance to the coast. The small sample sizes of these groups and their heterogeneous sampling raise concerns about whether sufficient data exist. Coupled with previous studies of these ecological gradients, their common presence over distances of tens to hundreds of kilometers and elevations of tens to hundreds of meters suggests they are likely important in the nonmarine fossil record. Because elevation and distance to the coast change predictably with cycles of accommodation and sediment flux, these ecological gradients are predicted to occur in the nonmarine stratigraphic record, especially through intervals that record transgression or regression. Such gradients will affect the local composition of species associations and occurrences, even in the absence of regional species origination, immigration, and extinction and of regional change in the structure of ecological gradients. The ordination of taxon counts in stratigraphically limited samples has great potential for establishing their existence.
Invasions are one of main drivers transforming the functions of forest ecosystems. The invasion of alien fungus Hymenoscyphus fraxineus is still reducing the abundance of Fraxinus excelsior throughout temperate Europe. F. excelsior is a tree species belonging to the group of foundation species for numerous epiphytic species. We studied the effects of F. excelsior decline on epiphytic bryophytes in the Białowieża Primeval Forest. In this forest human interference is limited, allowing us to register the natural dynamics of ash-dependent bryophyte communities. F. excelsior decline was discovered in the Białowieża Primeval Forest in 1998, and in 2016 we resurveyed a historical survey of epiphytic bryophytes, i.e. shortly before the dieback process started. Using ordination methods and mixed-effect models we assessed shifts in epiphyte bryophytes composition over time and amongst the plots with (i) historical and recent presence of F. excelsior, (ii) with recent extinction of F. excelsior, and (iii) absence of F. excelsior both historically and recently, as well as at the level of alternative tree hosts employing the paired Mann-Whitney and t-tests. F. excelsior dieback did not influence the species composition of bryophytes associated with this tree host. Despite the drastic reduction in living F. excelsior trees (85%), overall the species composition, species richness and Shannon index of F. excelsior-dwelling bryophytes did not shift significantly between two sampling periods. Similarly weak changes over time we reported for the bryophytes’ community weighted means of ecological indicator values. Equally subtle temporal shifts in epiphytes’ biodiversity were observed amongst the plots with the presence, absence, and extinction of ash, likely due to the relatively high diversity of available alternative hosts. F. excelsior-associated epiphytic bryophytes were able to exploit other niches in the microhabitat-heterogeneous Białowieża Forest ecosystem, and thus far have not suffered a reduction in biodiversity parameters at the scale of our survey. High diversity of alternative host tree species, with particular emphasis on the occurrence of pioneer trees (i.e. B. pendula and P. tremula), may maintain the epiphytic bryophyte communities, which themselves may be able to act as a source for the recovery of F. excelsior-affiliated epiphyte populations.
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