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Abstract: Foraminifera are unicellular organisms that inhabit the oceans. They play an important role in the global carbon cycle and record valuable paleoclimate information through the uptake of trace elements such as strontium into their calcitic shells. Understanding how foraminifera control their internal fluid composition to make calcite is important for predicting their response to ocean acidification and for reliably interpreting the chemical and isotopic compositions of their shells. Here, we model foraminiferal calcification and strontium partitioning in the benthic foraminifera Cibicides wuellerstorfi and Cibicidoides mundulus based on insights from inorganic calcite experiments. The numerical model reconciles inter-ocean and taxonomic differences in benthic foraminifer strontium partitioning relationships and enables us to reconstruct the composition of the calcifying fluid. We find that strontium partitioning and mineral growth rates of foraminiferal calcite are not strongly affected by changes in external seawater pH (within 7.8–8.1) and dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC, within 2100–2300 μmol/kg) due to a regulated calcite saturation state at the site of shell formation.

Calcium carbonate (CaCO3) is abundant on Earth, is a major component of marine biominerals and thus of sedimentary and metamorphic rocks and it plays a major role in the global carbon cycle by storing atmospheric CO2 into solid biominerals. Six crystalline polymorphs of CaCO3 are known-3 anhydrous: calcite, aragonite, vaterite, and 3 hydrated: ikaite (CaCO3·6H2O), monohydrocalcite (CaCO3·1H2O, MHC), and calcium carbonate hemihydrate (CaCO3·½H2O, CCHH). CCHH was recently discovered and characterized, but exclusively as a synthetic material, not as a naturally occurring mineral. Here, analyzing 200 million spectra with Myriad Mapping (MM) of nanoscale mineral phases, we find CCHH and MHC, along with amorphous precursors, on freshly deposited coral skeleton and nacre surfaces, but not on sea urchin spines. Thus, biomineralization pathways are more complex and diverse than previously understood, opening new questions on isotopes and climate. Crystalline precursors are more accessible than amorphous ones to other spectroscopies and diffraction, in natural and bio-inspired materials.

The authors regret that in the original article, the kinetic fractionation factors (KFFs) related to the CO2 hydroxylation reaction (CO2(aq) + OH– → HCO3–) were calculated using atmospheric δ18OCO2 values of 0.0 ± 0.5 ‰ (VPDB) while the correct values are 10.25 ± 0.5 ‰ (VPDB). We erroneously employed the atmospheric δ18OCO2 values from the NOAA CO2 global network (Trolier et al., 1996) by not converting atmospheric δ18OCO2 from the VPDB-CO2 scale to the VPDB scale through the following expression (e.g. Srivastava and Verkouteren, 2018): [Formula presented] This correction affects the reported oxygen isotope KFFs for CO2 hydroxylation to form HCO3– prior to CaCO3 precipitation. We have corrected Table 7 and Fig. 13 accordingly (see below). The composition of atmospheric CO2 was also incorrectly plotted on the VPDB scale in Figs. 1, 8 and 15 of our original manuscript based on previous works (Fig. 8 in Clark and Fontes, 1990; Fig. 2 in Clark et al., 1992). Importantly, the modelling outputs and main conclusions of the original article are not affected by these corrections. Nevertheless, the updated KFFs resolve an apparent discrepancy between the laboratory and field studies in our original article. Moreover, the oxygen isotope KFF for CO2 hydroxylation now displays a positive temperature dependence over the 4–28 °C range, which was not statistically significant in the original article (Fig. 13c, r2 = 0.86, n = 10, p-value

Tularemia has many atypical presentations which can represent a diagnostic challenge. The history is essential in the investigation of this disease. Bite-induced primary skin lesions should be distinguished from the infrequent immune-mediated secondary skin lesions. Herein, we present an atypical pseudovesicular rash secondary to Francisella tularensis.

Abstract Calcium carbonate (CaCO3) is abundant on Earth, is a major component of marine biominerals and thus of sedimentary and metamorphic rocks and it plays a major role in the global carbon cycle by storing atmospheric CO2 into solid biominerals. Six crystalline polymorphs of CaCO3 are known—3 anhydrous: calcite, aragonite, vaterite, and 3 hydrated: ikaite (CaCO3·6H2O), monohydrocalcite (CaCO3·1H2O, MHC), and calcium carbonate hemihydrate (CaCO3·½H2O, CCHH). CCHH was recently discovered and characterized, but exclusively as a synthetic material, not as a naturally occurring mineral. Here, analyzing 200 million spectra with Myriad Mapping (MM) of nanoscale mineral phases, we find CCHH and MHC, along with amorphous precursors, on freshly deposited coral skeleton and nacre surfaces, but not on sea urchin spines. Thus, biomineralization pathways are more complex and diverse than previously understood, opening new questions on isotopes and climate. Crystalline precursors are more accessible than amorphous ones to other spectroscopies and diffraction, in natural and bio-inspired materials.

Abstract Foraminifera are unicellular organisms that inhabit the oceans. They play an important role in the global carbon cycle and record valuable paleoclimate information through the uptake of trace elements such as strontium into their calcitic shells. Understanding how foraminifera control their internal fluid composition to make calcite is important for predicting their response to ocean acidification and for reliably interpreting the chemical and isotopic compositions of their shells. Here, we model foraminiferal calcification and strontium partitioning in the benthic foraminifera Cibicides wuellerstorfi and Cibicidoides mundulus based on insights from inorganic calcite experiments. The numerical model reconciles inter-ocean and taxonomic differences in benthic foraminifer strontium partitioning relationships and enables us to reconstruct the composition of the calcifying fluid. We find that strontium partitioning and mineral growth rates of foraminiferal calcite are not strongly affected by changes in external seawater pH (within 7.8–8.1) and dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC, within 2100–2300 μmol/kg) due to a regulated calcite saturation state at the site of shell formation.

Modelling of the Dehydration of Canarium schweinfurthii Engl. Fruit Pulp. In this work, we obtained drying kinetic of Canarium schweinfurthii Engl. pulp fruit, under conditions of air velocity ranging between 1 and 3 m/s, relative humidity between 40 and 60%, temperature between 40 and 70 °C. The experiments were made in drying tunnel where properties of hot air flow are determined and controlled. It is observed from the drying kinetics that there is no constant rate phase. Modelling of the results was performed using the caracteristic curve of drying. Futhermore, we determined aiele pulp desorption isotherms in differents temperatures (40, 50, 60 and 70 °C), the Guggenheim, Anderson and de Boer model proved to be satisfactory to describe them.

Recent research suggests that infection with Onchocerca volvulus induces neurocognitive decline. This study sought to compare the cognitive outcomes of elderly persons based on onchocerciasis infection status and report the overall prevalence of dementia in the rural Ntui Health District in Cameroon. A community-based approach was used to recruit 103 participants aged ≥60 years. Dementia screening was done using the Community Screening Interview for Dementia (CSID) tool with a cut-off value of ≤29.5. O. volvulus infection was determined via microscopic examination of skin snips and serological testing of Ov16 antibodies using rapid diagnostic tests. Overall, the prevalence of dementia was 10.7%. Among the tested individuals, 17.9% (15/84) and 62.1% (41/66) were positive for O. volvulus and Ov16 antibodies, respectively. A multivariable linear regression model of CSID scores found a significant positive association with education level (8.654; 95% CI: 2.0870 to 15.222). However, having a positive skin snip for O. volvulus (−3.399; 95% CI: −6.805 to 0.007) and inhaling tobacco (−5.441; 95% CI: −9.137 to −1.744) tended to lower the CSID scores. Ongoing onchocerciasis transmission in the Ntui Health District may constitute a risk factor for dementia. Strengthening onchocerciasis elimination and adopting healthier lifestyles would contribute to dementia prevention among the elderly residing in endemic communities.

The Cedars ultramafic block hosts alkaline springs (pH > 11) in which calcium carbonate forms upon uptake of atmospheric CO2 and at times via mixing with surface water. These processes lead to distinct carbonate morphologies with “floes” forming at the atmosphere-water interface, “snow” of fine particles accumulating at the bottom of pools and terraced constructions of travertine. Floe material is mainly composed of aragonite needles despite CaCO3 precipitation occurring in waters with low Mg/Ca (

Case series summary A 1-year-old castrated male Maine Coon cat was referred because of a 1-week history of progressive spastic non-ambulatory paraparesis. An MRI examination of the thoracolumbar spine showed multiple lytic lesions, with the most aggressive one centred on the adjacent endplates of L1–L2 and its associated disc. Ventral new bone formation, L1 vertebral body shortening and mild dorsal displacement of the caudal aspect of L1 were noted. Contrast enhancement of both paravertebral soft tissue and extradural lesion was present. These findings were compatible with L1–L2 discospondylitis (DS), spinal epidural empyema (SEE), with secondary L1 pathological vertebral fracture, subluxation and spinal cord compression. CT of the thoracolumbar spine, abdomen and thorax confirmed these findings. The patient deteriorated to paraplegia with absent nociception, despite initial medical therapy. A right-sided L1–L2 hemilaminectomy and spinal decompression were then performed, followed by application of a unilateral construct comprising four smooth arthrodesis wires and polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA). S taphylococcus aureus was isolated from both epidural material, intraoperatively sampled and blood culture. Antibiotic therapy was continued for 6 weeks, based on susceptibility results. The outcome was excellent, with a gradual improvement and complete neurological recovery at the 8-week postoperative check. Repeated spinal radiographs showed an intact apparatus and marked signs of vertebral fusion. At the 14-month follow-up examination, the cat remained free of clinical signs. Relevance and novel information To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first case report of SEE and DS in a cat that required surgical stabilisation. The outcome was still optimal, despite the rapid neurological deterioration.

Lohse, Sternjakob-Marthaler et al. assess anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibody responses of adults in the Saarland region of Germany after the first pandemic wave. They calculate infection and fatality rates, demonstrating that SARS-Cov-2 infections during this period were underreported.

Recent research suggests that infection with Onchocerca volvulus induces neurocognitive decline. This study sought to compare the cognitive outcomes of elderly persons based on onchocerciasis infection status and report the overall prevalence of dementia in the rural Ntui Health District in Cameroon. A community-based approach was used to recruit 103 participants aged ≥60 years. Dementia screening was done using the Community Screening Interview for Dementia (CSID) tool with a cut-off value of ≤29.5. O. volvulus infection was determined via microscopic examination of skin snips and serological testing of Ov16 antibodies using rapid diagnostic tests. Overall, the prevalence of dementia was 10.7%. Among the tested individuals, 17.9% (15/84) and 62.1% (41/66) were positive for O. volvulus and Ov16 antibodies, respectively. A multivariable linear regression model of CSID scores found a significant positive association with education level (8.654; 95% CI: 2.0870 to 15.222). However, having a positive skin snip for O. volvulus (−3.399; 95% CI: −6.805 to 0.007) and inhaling tobacco (−5.441; 95% CI: −9.137 to −1.744) tended to lower the CSID scores. Ongoing onchocerciasis transmission in the Ntui Health District may constitute a risk factor for dementia. Strengthening onchocerciasis elimination and adopting healthier lifestyles would contribute to dementia prevention among the elderly residing in endemic communities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Palm wine fermentation is a complex microbial process that evolves with tapping times. The dynamics in microbiota and metabolites throughout palm wine tapping days is still not established, which are critical for the distinctive characteristics of palm wine taste and quality, and thus the mastery of the daily quality fluctuation during tapping. We analyzed the changes in microbial community structure by amplicon sequencing of bacterial 16S rRNA gene and fungal internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region, and metabolite profile changes using mass spectrometry in palm wine collected over 25–30 days tapping of ron (Borassus aethiopum) and oil palms (Elaeis guineensis) from Côte d’Ivoire. The stage-wise collected palm wine samples showed distinct changes in microbial diversity and pH, supporting microbial community dynamics during palm wine tapping. Results highlighted the dominance of Saccharomyces cerevisiae in early stages and the emergence of non-Saccharomyces yeasts, particularly Hanseniaspora spp. in the later stages of oil palm wine tapping, vice versa in the case of ron palm wine tapping, with a unique presence of Saccharomycodes in the later stages (15–30 days). Fructophilic lactic acid bacteria (FLAB), mainly Fructobacillus and Leuconostoc, encountered in both types of palm wine tapping showed a decline at later stages of oil palm wine tapping. In this type of palm wine, acetic acid bacteria with genera Acetobacter and Glucanoacetobacter, by surpassing Lactobacillus in the last stage become dominant, whereas Lactobacillus remained dominant in ron palm wine throughout tapping days. The decline in the relative abundance of gevotroline and essential amino acids during the later stages of palm wine tapping (15–25 days) supports the difference in the health benefits of the palm wine obtained from different days of tapping, indicating that early stages of tapping is more nutritional and healthy than the later stages. The microbial dynamics may be a potential indicator of metabolite changes during palm sap fermentation, thus contributing to establish particular features of palm wines in different stages of tapping. This understanding of microbial ecology and chemical composition changes during palm wine tapping can be used as biomarkers to assess palm wine’s quality and help to design an optimum starter culture.

Abstract Most Earth surface carbonates precipitate out of isotopic equilibrium with their host solution, complicating the use of stable isotopes in paleoenvironment reconstructions. Disequilibrium can arise from exchange reactions in the DIC‐H2O system as well as during crystal growth reactions in the DIC‐CaCO3 system. Existing models account for kinetic isotope effects (KIEs) in these systems separately but the models have yet to be combined in a general framework. Here, an open‐system box model is developed for describing disequilibrium carbon, oxygen, and clumped (Δ47, Δ48, and Δ49) isotope effects in the CaCO3‐DIC‐H2O system. The model is used to simulate calcite precipitation experiments in which the fluxes and isotopic compositions of CO2 and CaCO3 were constrained. Using a literature compilation of equilibrium and kinetic fractionation factors, modeled δ18O and Δ47 values of calcite are in good agreement with the experimental data covering a wide range in crystal growth rate and solution pH. This relatively straightforward example provides a foundation for adapting the model to other situations involving CO2 absorption (e.g., corals, foraminifera, and high‐pH travertines) or degassing (e.g., speleothems, low‐pH travertines, and cryogenic carbonates) and/or mixing with other dissolved inorganic carbon sources.

Abstract Background The localization of objects of interest is a key initial step in most image analysis workflows. For biomedical image data, classical image-segmentation methods like thresholding or edge detection are typically used. While those methods perform well for labelled objects, they are reaching a limit when samples are poorly contrasted with the background, or when only parts of larger structures should be detected. Furthermore, the development of such pipelines requires substantial engineering of analysis workflows and often results in case-specific solutions. Therefore, we propose a new straightforward and generic approach for object-localization by template matching that utilizes multiple template images to improve the detection capacity. Results We provide a new implementation of template matching that offers higher detection capacity than single template approach, by enabling the detection of multiple template images. To provide an easy-to-use method for the automatic localization of objects of interest in microscopy images, we implemented multi-template matching as a Fiji plugin, a KNIME workflow and a python package. We demonstrate its application for the localization of entire, partial and multiple biological objects in zebrafish and medaka high-content screening datasets. The Fiji plugin can be installed by activating the Multi-Template-Matching and IJ-OpenCV update sites. The KNIME workflow is available on nodepit and KNIME Hub. Source codes and documentations are available on GitHub (https://github.com/multi-template-matching). Conclusion The novel multi-template matching is a simple yet powerful object-localization algorithm, that requires no data-pre-processing or annotation. Our implementation can be used out-of-the-box by non-expert users for any type of 2D-image. It is compatible with a large variety of applications including, for instance, analysis of large-scale datasets originating from automated microscopy, detection and tracking of objects in time-lapse assays, or as a general image-analysis step in any custom processing pipelines. Using different templates corresponding to distinct object categories, the tool can also be used for classification of the detected regions.

The present study focuses on the rheological properties of polyethylene glycol (PEG) modified, positively charged, and negatively charged superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) at different temperatures. We hypothesized that the surface properties of these nanoparticles in the water did not affect their rheological properties. These nanoparticles had not the same surface properties as SPIONs-PEG had not to charge on their surface whereas positively charged and negatively charged ones with amine and carboxyl groups as their surfaces had positive and negative surface charges, respectively. However, their rheological behaviors were not different from each other. The comparative rheological study of SPIONs revealed their pseudo-Newtonian behavior. The viscosity of SPIONs decreased with the increase in temperature. At low shear rates, the shear stress of SPIONs was independent of rate and increased with the increase of rate. Moreover, at high shear rates, the shear stress for PEG-SPIONs was more than those for positively charged and negatively charged SPIONs. These measurements also revealed that at high shear rates, the shear stress of samples decreased with the increase of temperature. The shear stress of samples decreased with the increase of shear strain and the temperature. We also observed that all the samples had the same amount of shear strain at each shear stress, which indicated the exact resistance of SPIONs to deformation. Furthermore, the shear modulus decreased with time for these nanoparticles. These results suggest that these nanoparticles are promising candidates with appropriate properties for fluid processing applications and drug vectors in biomedical applications.

Quantitative measurements and qualitative description of scientific images are both important to describe the complexity of digital image data. While various software solutions for quantitative measurements in images exist, there is a lack of simple tools for the qualitative description of images in common user-oriented image analysis software. To address this issue, we developed a set of Fiji plugins that facilitate the systematic manual annotation of images or image-regions. From a list of user-defined keywords, these plugins generate an easy-to-use graphical interface with buttons or checkboxes for the assignment of single or multiple pre-defined categories to full images or individual regions of interest. In addition to qualitative annotations, any quantitative measurement from the standard Fiji options can also be automatically reported. Besides the interactive user interface, keyboard shortcuts are available to speed-up the annotation process for larger datasets. The annotations are reported in a Fiji result table that can be exported as a pre-formatted csv file, for further analysis with common spreadsheet software or custom automated pipelines. To illustrate possible use case of the annotations, and facilitate the analysis of the generated annotations, we provide examples of such pipelines, including data-visualization solutions in Fiji and KNIME, as well as a complete workflow for training and application of a deep learning model for image classification in KNIME. Ultimately, the plugins enable standardized routine sample evaluation, classification, or ground-truth category annotation of any digital image data compatible with Fiji.

Quantitative measurements and qualitative description of scientific images are both important to describe the complexity of digital image data. While various software solutions for quantitative measurements in images exist, there is a lack of simple tools for the qualitative description of images in common user-oriented image analysis software. To address this issue, we developed a set of Fiji plugins that facilitate the systematic manual annotation of images or image-regions. From a list of user-defined keywords, these plugins generate an easy-to-use graphical interface with buttons or checkboxes for the assignment of single or multiple pre-defined categories to full images or individual regions of interest. In addition to qualitative annotations, any quantitative measurement from the standard Fiji options can also be automatically reported. Besides the interactive user interface, keyboard shortcuts are available to speed-up the annotation process for larger datasets. The annotations are reported in a Fiji result table that can be exported as a pre-formatted csv file, for further analysis with common spreadsheet software or custom automated pipelines. To facilitate and spread the usage of analysis tools, we provide examples of such pipelines, including a complete workflow for training and application of a deep learning model for image classification in KNIME. Ultimately, the plugins enable standardized routine sample evaluation, classification, or ground-truth category annotation of any digital image data compatible with Fiji.

The notion of shared memory is unclear. How can we ensure that representations of the past are really identical for a group of individuals? In the first part of this text, I suggest that the blur surrounding the notion of shared memory is only a special case of the floating meaning intrinsic to holistic rhetoric used in the social sciences to designate shared or supposedly shared representations. In the second part, I present two of the three modalities of memory sharing (protomemory and memory itself) and propose 18 criteria intended to test the sharing of the second modality. The last part is devoted to collective metamemory—the third modality—defined by its narrative dimension, that is, by the storytelling of a shared or supposedly shared memory. I argue that the metamemorial narrative gives consistency to memory sharing by propagating belief in shared memory, notably through narrative illumination effects of past events. The shape of this memory intersubjectivity can be paradoxical: often, what we take for a shared memory is in reality the shared narrative of a belief in the sharing of this memory. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Illinois is home to the sixth largest Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) population nationwide. AAPIs suffer higher incidence, morbidity, and mortality rates from certain cancers, infectious, and chronic diseases. Despite the exponential growth of the AAPI population, few state-level data sources exist that provide detailed and accurate information regarding AAPI health disparities and needs. Efforts to improve health care for this population will require improved data collection and funding for research on AAPI ethnic groups.