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During COVID-19 pandemic, teachers played a very significant yet risky role in making the education in the country continuously running. Facing this enormous challenge caused by the pandemic, teachers’ job satisfaction and teaching commitment contribute much in the success of instructional delivery. This study was conducted to assess the level of job satisfaction and teaching commitment or teachers during the new normal situation and to determine the association of the identified variables. A descriptive-correlational research design was employed and a researchers-designed questionnaire which was administered among 153 teacher – respondents was been utilized as the data gathering instrument. The frequency count and percentage distribution, mean and standard deviation, and Pearson’s r are the statistical tools utilized. The results of the study indicated that even in a very challenging health situation, teachers still have a very high job satisfaction in terms of their (a) responsibilities and (b) community attachment. In the same manner, they also hold a very high commitment in term of their (a) profession and (b) teaching and learning are concerned. This study also revealed a significant relationship (p

The evolution of the mitochondria was a significant event that gave rise to the eukaryotic lineage and most large complex life. Central to the origins of the mitochondria was an endosymbiosis between prokaryotes. Yet, despite the potential benefits that can stem from a prokaryotic endosymbiosis, their modern occurrence is exceptionally rare. While many factors may contribute to their rarity, we lack methods for estimating the extent to which they constrain the appearance of a prokaryotic endosymbiosis. Here, we address this knowledge gap by examining the role of metabolic compatibility between a prokaryotic host and endosymbiont. We use genome-scale metabolic flux models from three different collections (AGORA, KBase, and CarveMe) to assess the viability, fitness, and evolvability of potential prokaryotic endosymbioses. We find that while more than half of host–endosymbiont pairings are metabolically viable, the resulting endosymbioses have reduced growth rates compared to their ancestral metabolisms and are unlikely to gain mutations to overcome these fitness differences. In spite of these challenges, we do find that they may be more robust in the face of environmental perturbations at least in comparison with the ancestral host metabolism lineages. Our results provide a critical set of null models and expectations for understanding the forces that shape the structure of prokaryotic life.

As rising temperatures threaten biodiversity across the globe, tropical ectotherms are thought to be particularly vulnerable due to their narrow thermal tolerance ranges. Nevertheless, physiology-based models highlighting the vulnerability of tropical organisms rarely consider the contributions of their gut microbiota, even though microbiomes influence numerous host traits, including thermal tolerance. We combined field and lab experiments to understand the response of the slender anole lizard (Anolis apletophallus) gut microbiome to climatic shifts of various magnitude and duration. First, to examine the effects of long-term climate warming in the wild, we transplanted lizards from the mainland Panama to a series of warmer islands in the Panama Canal and compared their gut microbiome compositions after three generations of divergence. Next, we mimicked the effects of a short-term “heat-wave” by using a greenhouse experiment and explored the link between gut microbiome composition and lizard thermal physiology. Finally, we examined variation in gut microbiomes in our mainland population in the years both before and after a naturally occurring drought. Our results suggest that slender anole microbiomes are surprisingly resilient to short-term warming. However, both the taxonomic and predicted functional compositions of the gut microbiome varied by sampling year across all sites, suggesting that the drought may have had a regional effect. We provide evidence that short-term heat waves may not substantially affect the gut microbiota, while more sustained climate anomalies may have effects at broad geographic scales. IMPORTANCE As climate change progresses, it is crucial to understand how animals will respond to shifts in their local environments. One component of this response involves changes in the microbial communities living in and on host organisms. These “microbiomes” can affect many processes that contribute to host health and survival, yet few studies have measured changes in the microbiomes of wild organisms experiencing novel climatic conditions. We examined the effects of shifting climates on the gut microbiome of the slender anole lizard (Anolis apletophallus) by using a combination of field and laboratory studies, including transplants to warm islands in the Panama Canal. We found that slender anole microbiomes remain stable in response to short-term warming but may be sensitive to sustained climate anomalies, such as droughts. We discuss the significance of these findings for a species that is considered highly vulnerable to climate change.

Pathogen success (risk and severity) is influenced by host-associated microbiota, but the degree to which variation in microbial community traits predict future infection presence/absence (risk) and load (severity) for the host is unknown. We conducted a time-series experiment by sampling the skin-associated bacterial communities of five amphibian species before and after exposure to the fungal pathogen, Batrachochytrium dendrobaditis (Bd). We sought to determine whether microbial community traits are predictors of, or are affected by, Bd infection risk and intensity. Our results show that richness of putative Bd-inhibitory bacteria strongly predicts infection risk, while the proportion of putative Bd-inhibitory bacteria predicts future infection intensity. Variation in microbial community composition is high across time and individual, and bacterial prevalence is low. Our findings demonstrate how ecological community traits of host-associated microbiota may be used to predict infection risk by pathogenic microbes.

Limited knowledge exists regarding the information patients seek online about sinus procedures. The goals of our study were to identify the most searched online queries regarding functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) and balloon sinuplasty and evaluate the sources to which patients are directed.Observational.Online Google Database.Google data were analyzed using the search engine optimization tool Ahrefs. People Also Ask (PAA) questions (extracted from Google searches) helped identify questions for analysis of search query volume. Search results were categorized into specific topics, and the source (eg, academic vs medical practice) of the information was identified. TheThe most searched term (average monthly queries) on Google was "sinus surgery" (13,190), followed by "balloon sinuplasty" (9212). For FESS and balloon sinuplasty, most questions focused on treatment of sinusitis (71.64% vs 79.19%) and preoperative inquiries about sinus issues (11.50% vs 11.35%). Answers to PAA questions for FESS were obtained from academic sources at a higher frequency compared to balloon sinuplasty (26.7% vs 10.3%,There is a high volume of online search queries regarding FESS and balloon sinuplasty. The quality of the sources could be improved by addressing authorship, attribution, disclosure, and currency. This information may help otolaryngologists better address patient queries.

The endogenous opioid peptide systems are critical for analgesia, reward processing, and affect, but research on their release dynamics and function has been challenging. Here, we have developed microimmunoelectrodes (MIEs) for the electrochemical detection of opioid peptides using square-wave voltammetry. Briefly, a voltage is applied to the electrode to cause oxidation of the tyrosine residue on the opioid peptide of interest, which is detected as current. To provide selectivity to these voltammetric measurements, the carbon fiber surface of the MIE is coated with an antiserum selective to the opioid peptide of interest. To test the sensitivity of the MIEs, electrodes are immersed in solutions containing different concentrations of opioid peptides, and peak oxidative current is measured. We show that dynorphin antiserum-coated electrodes are sensitive to increasing concentrations of dynorphin in the attomolar range. To confirm selectivity, we also measured the oxidative current from exposure to tyrosine and other opioid peptides in solution. Our data show that dynorphin antiserum-coated MIEs are sensitive and selective for dynorphin with little to no oxidative current observed in met-enkephalin and tyrosine solutions. Additionally, we demonstrate the utility of these MIEs in anin vitrobrain slice preparation using bath application of dynorphin as well as optogenetic activation of dynorphin release. Future work aims to use MIEsin vivofor real-time, rapid detection of endogenous opioid peptide release in awake, behaving animals.

This paper discusses benefits, caveats, and lessons learned of wireless pressure monitoring systems in abandoned exploration and appraisal wells to gain insight into reservoir properties that extend beyond the scope of standard well testing. Appraising large offshore deepwater discoveries requires drilling and evaluating several wells across a field to increase subsurface understanding and reduce development uncertainties. The recent technological advancement of wireless pressure monitoring systems, which utilize electromagnetic telemetry, has enabled operators to capitalize on previously untapped value from exploration and appraisal wells by turning them into long-term observation wells, without compromising abandonment compliance. Even if not tested, these penetrations can provide valuable dynamic data for enhanced reservoir characterization early in the appraisal life cycle and at little incremental cost. Such a system was installed in a deepwater well in Cyprus to further understand potential compartmentalization risks. A nearby well test, executed 3 years after system installation, was successfully monitored by the abandoned penetration. The interference test helped shed light on far-field connectivity, inter-well reservoir properties, and connected volume. This information will improve the fidelity of the geological and reservoir simulation models utilized to inform depletion planning and support field development and commercial decisions. This paper presents novel findings to help ensure data quality and representativeness from such systems, focusing on the overprint of the wellbore environment on the reservoir signal. Specifically, the deployment in a cased wellbore left with drilling fluid revealed lengthier and more complex swap-out dynamics with reservoir fluid than anticipated. As with most new technologies, subsequent installations benefited from these valuable lessons learned, resulting in more robust and reliable implementation practices.

Age-associated reduced motivation is a hallmark of neuropsychiatric disorders in the elderly. In our rapidly aging societies, it is critical to keep motivation levels high enough to promote healthspan and lifespan. However, how motivation is reduced during aging remains unknown. Here, we used multiple mouse models to evaluate motivation and related affective states in young and old mice. We also compared the effect of social isolation, a common stressor, to those of aging. We found that both social isolation and aging decreased motivation in mice, but thatBdnfexpression in the ventral tegmental area (VTA) was selectively decreased during aging. Furthermore, VTA-specificBdnfknockdown in young mice recapitulated reduced motivation observed in old mice. These results demonstrate that maintainingBdnfexpression in the VTA could promote motivation to engage in effortful activities and potentially prevent age-associated neuropsychiatric disorders.

Biology of Andrena (Callandrena Sensu Lato) Asteris Robertson (Hymenoptera: Andrenidae), an Eastern Aster Specialist that Makes a Very Deep Nest Anna C. Espinoza, Katherine R. Urban-Mead, Mark A. Buckner, Nathalia Flórez-Gómez, Jordan G. Kueneman, Bryan N. Danforth "Biology of Andrena (Callandrena Sensu Lato) Asteris Robertson (Hymenoptera: Andrenidae), an Eastern Aster Specialist that Makes a Very Deep Nest," Northeastern Naturalist, 29(4), 474-491, (4 January 2023) Here we present the first description of nest architecture, immature stages, and brood-parasitism of Andrena (Callandrena s. l.) asteris (Aster Miner Bee) and the first description of the nesting biology of any Callandrena in eastern North America. Brood cells varied from 50 to 91 cm in depth, making this the deepest solitary bee nest recorded in northeastern North America. Additionally, we assembled data on soil texture, phenology, geographic distribution, and host-plant preferences. By modeling publicly available observation data, we find that areas of peak habitat suitability for A. asteris are in proximity to coastal and inland shorelines and major water courses. Our results corroborate a recent assessment of the conservation status of New York pollinators, which ranked A. asteris as “vulnerable”.