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Extensive primary boreal forests within Europe are primarily located in Fennoscandia and northwestern Russia. These forests host numerous endemic and red-listed species but are rapidly being exploited and transformed to production forests that lack the habitat characteristics that are required for sustained biodiversity. Over the past 30 years, certain highly valuable areas within Swedish forests have been designated and registered as “woodland key habitats” (WKH) to be safeguarded from clear-cutting. However, despite their high conservation values, WKH lack proper legislative protection. Recently, many WKH were deregistered and thereby lost their potential protection against clear-cutting, jeopardizing biodiversity values in these forests. Moreover, the former way of classifying WKH has been criticized for being too lenient, making conventional forestry difficult. To assess the leniency of WKH registration and effect of WKH deregistration, we conducted a field inventory of WKH following a new inventory method proposed by the Swedish Forest Agency, featuring more stringent criteria for classification of WKH in north-western Sweden. The inventory was conducted in 9 still registered and 9 recently deregistered WKH to assess their conservation values. Our inventory results show that all 18 areas reach the criteria for WKH with the new method, despite higher, more stringent thresholds for conservation values. Hence, formerly registered WKH were not deregistered due to lower values. Moreover, analysis of recent harvest actions within deregistered WKH in Sweden showed that almost 1,200 hectares (~ 2%) of these areas were clear-cut or reported for clear-cutting 1–7 years post deregistration. As such, our results indicate that WKH contain high values, even using more stringent classification criteria, but also that deregistration of WKH does not consider these values and increases the risk of losing them to forest management. Given past and current declines in forest biodiversity, this is concerning, as conservation of areas containing high conservation values are needed, in order to preserve biodiversity in boreal forests.

This work reports an analytical method for determining electrical resistivity ( ρ ) and sheet resistance ( R S ) of isotropic conductors. The method is compared with previous numerical solutions and available experimental data showing a universal behavior for isotropic conductors. An approximated solution is also reported allowing one to easily determine ρ and R S for samples either with regular or arbitrary shapes.

This comprehensive study delves into the intricate interplay between protons and organic polymers, offering insights into proton therapy in cancer treatment. Focusing on the influence of the spatial electron density distribution on stopping power estimates, we employed real-time time-dependent density functional theory coupled with the Penn method. Surprisingly, the assumption of electron density homogeneity in polymers is fundamentally flawed, resulting in an overestimation of stopping power values at energies below 2 MeV. Moreover, the Bragg rule application in specific compounds exhibited significant deviations from experimental data around the stopping maximum, challenging established norms.

In a changing environment, small RNAs (sRNAs) play an important role in the post-transcriptional regulation of gene expression and can vary in abundance depending on the conditions experienced by an individual (phenotypic plasticity) and its parents (non-genetic inheritance). Many sRNAs are unusual in that they can be produced in two ways, either using genomic DNA as the template (primary sRNAs) or existing sRNAs as the template (secondary sRNAs). Thus, organisms can evolve rapid plastic responses to their current environment by adjusting the amplification rate of sRNA templates. sRNA levels can also be transmitted transgenerationally by the direct transfer of either sRNAs or the proteins involved in amplification. Theory is needed to describe the selective forces acting on sRNA levels, accounting for the dual nature of sRNAs as regulatory elements and templates for amplification and for the potential to transmit sRNAs and their amplification agents to offspring. Here, we develop a model to study the dynamics of sRNA production and inheritance in a fluctuating environment. We tested the selective advantage of mutants capable of sRNA-mediated phenotypic plasticity within resident populations with fixed levels of sRNA transcription. Even when the resident was allowed to evolve an optimal constant rate of sRNA production, plastic amplification rates capable of responding to environmental conditions were favored. Mechanisms allowing sRNA transcripts or amplification agents to be inherited were favored primarily when parents and offspring face similar environments and when selection acts before the optimal level of sRNA can be reached within the organism. Our study provides a clear set of testable predictions for the evolution of sRNA-related mechanisms of phenotypic plasticity and transgenerational inheritance.

Menopause is characterized by a reduction in sex hormones in women and is associated with metabolic changes, including fatty liver and insulin resistance. Lifestyle changes, including a balanced diet and physical exercise, are necessary to prevent these undesirable changes. Strength training (ST) has been widely used because of the muscle and metabolic benefits it provides. Our study aims to evaluate the effects of ST on hepatic steatosis and insulin resistance in ovariectomized mice fed a high-fat diet (HFD) divided into four groups as follows: simulated sedentary surgery (SHAM-SED), trained simulated surgery (SHAM-EXE), sedentary ovariectomy (OVX-SED), and trained ovariectomy (OVX-EXE). They were fed an HFD for 9 weeks. ST was performed thrice a week. ST efficiently reduced body weight and fat percentage and increased lean mass in OVX mice. Furthermore, ST reduced the accumulation of ectopic hepatic lipids, increased AMPK phosphorylation, and inhibited the de novo lipogenesis pathway. OVX-EXE mice also showed a better glycemic profile, associated with greater insulin sensitivity identified by the euglycemic–hyperinsulinemic clamp, and reduced markers of hepatic oxidative stress compared with sedentary animals. Our data support the idea that ST can be indicated as a non-pharmacological treatment approach to mitigate metabolic changes resulting from menopause.

Macrophages play a very important role in the conduction of several regenerative processes mainly due to their plasticity and multiple functions. In the muscle repair process, while M1 macrophages regulate the inflammatory and proliferative phases, M2 (anti‐inflammatory) macrophages direct the differentiation and remodelling phases, leading to tissue regeneration. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of red and near infrared (NIR) photobiomodulation (PBM) on macrophage phenotypes and correlate these findings with the repair process following acute muscle injury. Wistar rats were divided into 4 groups: control; muscle injury; muscle injury + red PBM; and muscle injury + NIR PBM. After 2, 4 and 7 days, the tibialis anterior muscle was processed for analysis. Macrophages phenotypic profile was evaluated by immunohistochemistry and correlated with the different stages of the skeletal muscle repair by the qualitative and quantitative morphological analysis as well as by the evaluation of IL‐6, TNF‐α and TGF‐β mRNA expression. Photobiomodulation at both wavelengths was able to decrease the number of CD68+ (M1) macrophages 2 days after muscle injury and increase the number of CD163+ (M2) macrophages 7 days after injury. However, only NIR treatment was able to increase the number of CD206+ M2 macrophages (Day 2) and TGF‐β mRNA expression (Day 2, 4 and 7), favouring the repair process more expressivelly. Treatment with PBM was able to modulate the inflammation phase, optimize the transition from the inflammatory to the regeneration phase (mainly with NIR light) and improve the final step of regeneration, enhancing tissue repair.

Caregiver burden, a response to the challenges faced by those caring for sick loved ones, combines objective caregiving aspects with subjective experiences. This study aimed to describe the caregiver burden in guardians of ailing animals with dermatological and oncological pathologies. Additionally, this study aimed to correlate the degree of caregiver burden with the duration of the animal’s treatment, disease stability, family income, owner’s age, and the number of people living in the same household responsible for the animal’s treatment. Using a cross-sectional approach, questionnaires were administered to guardians at a veterinary hospital. Out of 182 valid responses, 50.55% related to oncological patients and 49.45% to dermatological patients. Notably, 36.9% of oncological and 37.8% of dermatological guardians exhibited a clinically significant burden, with no statistical differences between the groups. Of the respondents, 84.6% were dog guardians, with 34.4% showing a significant burden. Feline guardians (15.4% of respondents) exhibited a higher burden (53.5%) compared to dog guardians (p = 0.02). Disease stability, time since diagnosis, and guardian age significantly influenced the burden, while household composition, income, and treatment duration showed no substantial impact. These findings underscore the psychosocial impact of caring for animals, emphasizing the need for a comprehensive understanding of the caregiver’s perspective.

In recent years, Candida auris has emerged as a hazardous hospital-acquired pathogen. Its resistance to antifungal treatments makes it challenging, requiring new approaches to manage it effectively. Herein, we aimed to assess the impact of photodynamic inactivation mediated by methylene blue (MB-PDI) or 1,9-dimethyl MB (DMMB-PDI) combined with a red LED against C. auris. To evaluate the photoinactivation of yeasts, we quantified colony-forming units and monitored ROS production. To gain some insights into the differences between MB and DMMB, we assessed lipid peroxidation (LPO) and mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm). After, we verified the effectiveness of DMMB against biofilms by measuring metabolic activity and biomass, and the structures were analyzed through scanning electron microscopy and optical coherence tomography. We also evaluated the cytotoxicity in mammalian cells. DMMB-PDI successfully eradicated C. auris yeasts at 3 μM regardless of the light dose. In contrast, MB (100 μM) killed cells only when exposed to the highest dose of light. DMMB-PDI promoted higher ROS, LPO and ΔΨm levels than those of MB. Furthermore, DMMB-PDI was able to inhibit biofilm formation and destroy mature biofilms, with no observed toxicity in fibroblasts. We conclude that DMMB-PDI holds great potential to combat the global threat posed by C. auris.

Variable-speed reciprocating compressors (VSRCs) have been increasingly used in domestic refrigeration due to their ability to modulate cooling capacity and reduce energy consumption. A detailed understanding of performance-limiting factors such as volumetric and exergetic inefficiencies is essential for optimizing their operation. An experimentally validated simulation model was developed using GT-SUITE to analyze a VSRC operating with R-600a across speeds from 1800 to 6300 rpm. Volumetric inefficiencies were quantified using a stratification methodology, while an exergy-based approach was adopted to assess the main sources of thermodynamic inefficiency in the compressor. Unlike traditional energy analysis, exergy analysis reveals where and why irreversibilities occur, linking them directly to power consumption and providing a framework for optimizing design. Results reveal that neither volumetric nor exergy efficiency varies monotonically with compressor speed. At low speeds, exergetic losses are dominated by the electrical motor (up to 19% of input power) and heat transfer (up to 13.5%). Conversely, at high speeds, irreversibilities from fluid dynamics become critical, with losses from discharge valve throttling reaching 5.8% and bearing friction increasing to 6.5%. Additionally, key volumetric inefficiencies arise from piston–cylinder leakage, which causes up to a 4.5% loss at low speeds, and discharge valve backflow, causing over a 5% loss at certain resonant speeds. The results reveal complex speed-dependent interactions between dynamic and thermodynamic loss mechanisms in VSRCs. The integrated modeling approach offers a robust framework for diagnosing inefficiencies and supports the development of more energy-efficient compressor designs.

Whiteflies cause significant crop losses through direct sap feeding, inducing plant physiological disorders and promoting the growth of sooty mold. Moreover, whiteflies can indirectly harm plants by transmitting plant viruses, particularly begomoviruses and criniviruses, resulting in severe viral disease epidemics. This study aimed to evaluate the physiological characteristics of susceptible and resistant soybean cultivars to B. tabaci. The experiments were conducted in a greenhouse. Eleven soybean cultivars were selected and infested with 100 adults of B. tabaci at the V3 stage. The evaluation of photosynthetic parameters, such as photosynthetic rate, leaf transpiration, stomatal conductance, and internal CO2 concentration, revealed that B. tabaci infestation influenced gas exchange in soybean plants. The photosynthetic rate was higher in cultivars AS3810 and M8349 during the V6 stage. Infestations caused alterations in photosynthetic parameters, suggesting increased energy demand to maintain photosynthetic activity. However, the response to infestation varied among the different cultivars, indicating varying levels of resistance and tolerance to the whitefly’s damage. Furthermore, the infestation had a more notable impact during the vegetative phenological stage. In summary, infestation by B. tabaci has a discernible impact on the physiology of soybean plants, resulting in alterations in gas exchange parameters and water use efficiency. The reaction to infestation exhibited variations among different soybean cultivars, indicating potential differences in resistance to the pest. This study underscores the significance of assessing the physiological consequences of whitefly infestations on soybean crops.